Syracuse dug itself out of an early hole to win its home opener against Binghamton Tuesday night, 3-2.

The Orange (3-4) lost the first two games – 25-23 and 25-19 – but rallied back with three straight wins behind a pair of juniors. Sarah Morton led SU with 19 kills, eight blocks and five digs, while Kacie MacTavish recorded 18 kills and 15 digs.

The tide turned in the third set when a series of Binghamton errors got Syracuse back into the game. Leading by one, errors by the Bearcats and successive kills by Morton and MacTavish locked up the win for Syracuse and changed the momentum for good.

After a 25-22 win in the fourth set, the Orange closed the comeback, 15-11, in the fifth match. In the final set, Syracuse raced to an early six-point lead, the Bearcats clawed within three points and Morton slammed two kills to finish the game.

Setting the tone for the change in momentum was senior April Quigley and freshman Hallie Morse. The duo combined for 51 total assists.

The win at Manley Field House is the first of five straight home games for Syracuse. The Big Orange Tournament at SU begins Friday. The Orange will play Northeastern at 7 p.m. Siena, Ohio and Army are also in the tournament.

-Compiled by Tyler Dunne, asst. sports editor

Published on September 9, 2008 at 12:00 pm