Syracuse finishes nonconference slate with win over Hofstra
UPDATED: Sept. 17, 2017 at 4:27 p.m. EST
After having its three-game win streak snapped yesterday, Syracuse (8-5) played the role of streak-breaker today against Hofstra (8-6). The Orange ended the Pride’s four-game winning streak, defeating the Hofstra Tournament’s host team in four sets, 25-22, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24.
Annie Bozzo led the team in assists for the seventh straight game, posting 47 dimes in addition to 12 digs. Four players had nine or more kills for Syracuse, paced by Anastasiya Gorelina’s career-high 18. The Orange also tied a season-high in aces with eight, thanks in part to a season-high of three by Santita Ebangwese.
A 3-0 run by Syracuse gave it an early lead before Hofstra came back to tie the match at eight. That would be the closest the Pride would get the rest of the set, however, as Syracuse proceeded to go score four straight points to give it a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. Seven kills by Gorelina and 12 assists by Bozzo provided the offense for the Orange.
The start of the second set was tightly contested, as the lead switched hands seven times before the set stood deadlocked at 14. That’s when, for the second time in the match, Syracuse took control of a set for good with a dominant finish. An 11-5 run sparked by three kills by Mariia Levanova was enough for the Orange to win the set, its best of the match, 25-19.
A 7-0 run helped Hofstra take its first lead of the set, 13-11, and eventually Syracuse recovered to tie the game at 15. Then, the Orange closed in, 22-20, until the Pride scored three straight points out of a timeout. Syracuse tied it on the next point, but that would be the last point of the set for the Orange, which lost the next two points and the set.
In the third set, Syracuse jumped out to a 20-14 lead after an Ella Saada ace, Syracuse’s seventh of the match. Hofstra roared back with seven consecutive points to take the lead and caused an Orange timeout. Syracuse responded with three points in a row of its own to go up 24-22 and earn two match points. Both were dropped.
The Pride knotted the set at 24, and the best opportunity of the night for the Orange was wasted. Fortunately for Syracuse, Gorelina stepped in. The junior earned her 18th and final kill to give the Orange a 25-24 lead and, on the ensuing point, blocked a Hofstra attack attempt to secure the Syracuse victory.
The Orange will be the Boston College Eagles in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams. The game is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the Women’s Building.
The headline has been updated for appropriate style.