A resilient Syracuse team was pushed to its limits in three sets against Notre Dame on Wednesday night, but refused to break down.

 

“There were times we lost focus and let (Notre Dame) back and let them take over,” SU head coach Leonid Yelin said. “But we were able to bounce back the whole game.”

 

SU (12-13, 7-6 Atlantic Coast) put away Notre Dame (10-14, 4-9) in three sets, recovering from multi-point deficits throughout each match. The match was tied 18 separate times and featured 11 lead changes.

 

Syracuse has been on the comeback all season. After a dismal 1-5 start to its ACC season, the Orange has gone 6-1 against conference opponents with the only loss in that stretch coming against then-No. 18 Duke.

 

As Syracuse needed to rally in each set, the Orange knew it didn’t play its best. But SU kept its composure throughout and was able to pull out a victory.

 

“We definitely could’ve played a lot better,” said junior Melina Violas. “We just did enough to get the win tonight, but a win’s a win and we’ll take it.”

 

Syracuse took the first set 25-19, but the highlight of the three sets came in the second. Facing a 20-14 deficit, Yelin called a timeout and rallied his players on, willing them to keep their composure and remain focused.

 

“Coach told us to stay relaxed and made us believe that we could make up the points,” setter Erica Handley said.

 

SU responded with an 11-2 spurt. The Orange completed its comeback when middle blocker Monika Salkute and outside hitter Silvi Uattara jumped to block a hit. Notre Dame outside hitter Toni Alugbue and middle blocker Simmone Collins leapt to counter SU’s block, but crossed the center line to give SU a game-tying point en route to a 25-23 set victory.

 

“I just said we have to come back, not try to beat them individually, but do it by playing together and that’s what we did,” Yelin said.

 

The third and final set was a seesaw affair, but Syracuse went on a 6-1 run after being down 20-17 and eventually claimed a 25-23 victory. Syracuse took a 22-21 lead after a dig by Violas sent the ball soaring about 20 feet in the air to extend the rally and force an attack error on Notre Dame outside hitter Nicole Smith.

 

Going into the third set already up two games to none, SU’s confidence was palpable. The possibility of having to play a fourth set wasn’t even a thought in the minds of Syracuse’s starting six.

 

“In the third set we were finishing well and were really sure that we were going to win,” said Uattara. “As soon as you take the first point you have the mindset that you can crush and kill them.”

Published on November 7, 2013 at 12:34 am

Contact Connor: cgrossma@syr.edu | @connorgrossman