Syracuse drops season-opener to No. 17 Baylor in straight sets

One season after Syracuse advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history, SU opened their 2019 campaign with a straight-set loss against No. 17 Baylor in the HotelRED Invitational.

The first set was defined by early struggles, as Syracuse fell behind 15-6 after a series of attacking errors from Syracuse’s outside hitters and a good string of offense from Baylor. Head coach Leonid Yelin and the Orange couldn’t recover from their early struggles, dropping the first set 25-15.

Syracuse tied it up at four in the second set with an ace from junior Yuliia Yastrub, but outstanding play from Baylor’s redshirt sophomore Marieke van de Mark saw the Orange drop four straight points. Syracuse couldn’t pull within three points for the rest of the set, losing the second 25-11.

The third set was closer, as the Orange were up 20-16 late in the set. But a kill from Van der Mark was followed by four straight attacking errors from Syracuse, and Baylor pulled ahead 21-20. Baylor eventually clinched the win, 25-23, with a kill from setter Hannah Lockin.

The loss comes after expected starting setter Dana Valelly departed the team, forcing sophomore Elena Karakasi to start. Karakasi dished out 19 assists, but attacking errors plagued Yelin’s team throughout the match.

Reigning ACC Freshman of the Year Polina Shemanova posted double-digit kills and digs, 10 and 13 respectively.

Syracuse missed the presence of graduated middle blockers Amber Witherspoon and Santita Ebangwese. The Orange were out blocked by Baylor seven to four. Baylor was able to capitalize on timely aces, as the Bears recorded seven aces to Syracuse’s four.

The Orange stay in Madison for their next game in the HotelRED Invitational Tournament, where they will play No. 11 Marquette on Saturday.