Syracuse loses 2nd consecutive game in straight sets to No. 11 Marquette

For the second time in three days, Syracuse lost in straight sets, this time against No. 11 Marquette.

Service errors and blocking misuses prevented the Orange from building early momentum, dropping the first set 25-12. Sophomore Elena Karakasi started at setter, just as she did against Baylor on Thursday, and finished with seven assists.

The second set was a much tighter contest, despite Syracuse’s continuing struggles against Marquette’s hitters, leaving SU trailing 14-7 midway through the set. Looking for a spark from his bench, head coach Leonid Yelin inserted freshman setter Lauren Woodford into the match in place of Karakasi. Woodford’s consecutive aces helped ignite a Syracuse comeback, but Marquette’s dominance up front was too much for the Orange as they lost the set 25-23.

Syracuse’s improved play continued into the third set, and it drew even at 16-16 after several Marquette attacking errors. After a Syracuse timeout, Marquette pulled away, as the Orange dropped the set 25-18. 2018 ACC freshman of the year Polina Shemanova led SU with 11 kills.

Syracuse will look to get its first victory of the season on Friday against Morehead State as it begins a three-game stretch in the Kansas Tournament.