Pitt Volleyball Falls at Syracuse, 3-0

Saturday, September 26

Syracuse, N.Y.

6 PM ET

Pitt

0-2,0-2ACC

Syracuse

2-0,2-0ACC

Pittsburgh

Syracuse

Pitt Volleyball Falls at Syracuse, 3-0

9/26/2020 9:55:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats

Panthers Swept for First Time Since 2017

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Senior outside hitter Kayla Lund had a match-high 19 kills, however, the University of Pittsburgh volleyball team (0-2, 0-2 ACC) fell in straight sets at Syracuse (2-0, 2-0 ACC) at the Women's Building.

Syracuse took the opening set, 25-21. Pitt held the advantage for most of the second frame and forced extra points but fell, 27-25. The Orange completed the sweep with a 25-19 win in the third. It was Pitt's first sweep since Aug. 26, 2017, against No. 9 Creighton.

Sophomore middle blocker Chiamaka Nwokolo had a career-best nine kills. Her classmate Ashley Browske earned her first career start at libero, tallying seven digs.

Junior middle blocker Sabrina Starks had a team-high three blocks, all solo. Sharing setting duties, redshirt senior Kylee Levers had 24 assists while sophomore Lexis Akeo had 17.

Syracuse out-hit the Panthers (.311 to .270), while Pitt had the advantage in kills (45-44), assists (45-40) and blocks (7.0-4.5). The Orange had more service aces (4-1) and digs (42-39).

Set One: Syracuse 25, Pitt 21

The first frame saw seven ties, with the latest at 15. The Orange took momentum with a 5-1 run to reach the 20-point mark, up 20-16. Pitt closed the gap to 22-20, but Syracuse was able to outscore the Panthers 3-1 to end the first set on top, 25-21.

Lund had a match-high five kills in the first frame.

Set Two: Syracuse 27, Pitt 25

Another battle ensued in the second set, with 11 ties and three lead changes. Pitt earned set point, 24-22, on the first kill of Valeria Vazquez Gomez's career. Syracuse was able to force extra points, tying the match at 24 and 25, before securing the final two points of the set for the 27-25 win.

Set Three: Syracuse 25, Pitt 19

The third set was close yet again, with 10 ties. A 3-0 run swung the momentum in Syracuse's favor, setting the margin at 17-13, and it did not surrender the lead for the remainder of the match. Pitt cut it to 19-17 after a solo block by Chinaza Ndee, but the Panthers could not ultimately overcome the margin, falling, 25-19.

UP NEXT
Following a bye weekend, Pitt will host Boston College for its first home matches at Fitzgerald Field House Oct. 9 and 10.

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