Youth is the dominant theme of the 2002 Syracuse volleyball team, and in the season-opening Big Orange Tournament at Manley Field House, youth helped lead the Orangewomen to victory.

Syracuse did not lose a game, beating Wagner, Loyola, and Central Connecticut while integrating six freshmen into the lineup. Freshman Kristen Conway led the Orangemen with more than 11 kills per match to win the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Syracuse head coach Jing Pu was happy with the early-season contributions of the freshmen, all of whom saw significant playing time in the tournament.

‘I was impressed by the play of all the freshmen,’ Pu said. ‘All of them are progressing very well, and Kristen Conway already stepped up to make a major contribution.’

Conway was especially impressive in the final match of the tournament, against Central Connecticut. With the Orangewomen down 25-17 in the first game, Conway crushed a ball for a kill, and then served eight consecutive points to tie the game at 25. She finished the match with 16 kills and 12 digs — both team highs. Syracuse went on to win the first game, 30-27.

In the third and final game of the match the Orangewomen trailed early, but stayed in the game with the help of strong defense by junior defensive specialist Christen Casey. With the Orangewomen losing, 16-14, Casey hit the floor to keep the ball alive with a dig that helped Syracuse climb within a point of the Blue Devils. The comback continued as Syracuse won, 30-24.

Casey and junior setter Michaela Skelly joined Conway on the all-tournament team. Skelly led the tournament with 69 assists and Casey picked up 34 digs on the way to the Orangewomen’s 3-0 start.

Casey, one of the Orangewomen’s three upperclassmen, is pleased with the team’s start — particularly by the way it is coming together.

‘We have been able to get together well as a team,” Casey said. “The freshmen are easy to get along with and they understand everything we are doing.’

‘We looked good,” senior Abby Van Mater said. “I was impressed how we played in our first two games. We are relying on our freshmen, and they are really coming through.’

Pu said he was impressed by his team’s performance. He likes the addition of the new players that give him a full bench to work with this season.

The Orangewomen travel to Virginia to play in the James Madison University/Days Inn Volleyball Classic on Friday and Saturday. With games against Maryland, James Madison and Campbell, the Orangewomen will attempt to continue their good start.

Said Pu: “This year’s team is much more solid than last year’s.”

Published on September 2, 2002 at 12:00 pm