Syracuse loses to Virginia for 1st time in 20 years
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Syracuse trailed 24-16 following a Virginia service error in the fourth set. The Orange were able to rally down 2-0, to avoid a straight-set loss in the third, but was now on the brink of defeat. With the game on the line, Mira Ledermueller served the ball. Virginia’s Ashley Le received and lobbed a pass up to Veresia Yon who sent a ferocious spike down the middle of the court to win the game.
Consistent attacks through the center of its front line is what led Virginia (8-5, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) to a 3-1 victory over Syracuse (2-11, 0-3 ACC). UVA’s win against SU marks its first since September of 2003. Prior to Friday’s matchup, the Orange led the series matchup 9-1.
To start the first set, Syracuse went on a 3-0 run by way of a service error by Virginia, a service ace by Alyssa Bert, and a kill from Cherlin Antonio. The Cavaliers followed up with a 4-0 spurt of their own, including the game’s first block of the night. UVA eventually ended the opening set with four blocks and recorded 22 blocks on the evening. Middle blocker Abby Tadder led the Cavaliers, recording nine of them.
Lauryn Bowie scored a kill to put UVA up 7-5 before SU embarked on a 3-0 run propelled by Zharia Harris-Waddy. First, Harris-Waddy scored off of a kill. Then, she managed to score off a service ace, one of her five during the contest.
Virginia responded by scoring six of the next seven points, spurred on by timely hitting and careful placement. Outside hitter Ciera Hecht dominated during the stretch, recording a block and two of her 13 total kills.
Down 13-9, Syracuse was able to build momentum off of two Virginia errors. But, the Cavaliers quickly regained composure to erupt on another scoring streak. Though Antonio interrupted the stretch with a kill, UVA had built up a substantial lead en route to taking the first set 25-18.
The first two points of the second set went to Virginia, who then jumped out to an early 7-5 advantage. Syracuse took back the lead by scoring on two kills and a service ace but quickly relinquished it again after the Cavaliers tacked on three straight. Tadder and Yon rose high to block Antonio on multiple occasions despite the SU outside hitter finishing with a game-high 16 kills and 10 digs.
Up 12-8, Virginia continued to force the issue against Syracuse. It went on a 6-2 run and cruised to a 25-16 victory, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in sets.
Syracuse finally found its footing in a third set that seemed a complete role reversal between both sides. The Orange weathered a sluggish start to avoid another sweep through a healthy balance of composed offense and sturdy defense. In the third, SU registered four of its eight total blocks.
The next ten possessions were back and forth. Then, Syracuse exploded offensively, riding a 17-6 run to its first set victory in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Harris-Waddy was, once again, a major presence during the run, scored on four consecutive serving aces.
However, SU’s sudden success was short lived. The fourth set displayed the same, arduous storylines shown in the first two sets. The Orange lost their confidence on the attacking front and fell victim to unforced errors. On the other hand, Virginia took advantage of their opponents’ sloppiness, profiting off of Syracuse’s six attacking errors, to win 25-16.
