When Dana Crispi and Belle Sand sub in for each other, they high-five, look each other in the eye and say, “We got this, this is me and you.”

The two freshmen defensive specialists have formed a bond and two-thirds of a rotation in the position, completed by senior Melina Violas. Syracuse (8-12, 1-7 Atlantic Coast) has struggled digging the ball all season as the Orange is 153rd in the country in opponent hitting percentage. With Crispi and Sand’s position under fire, having each other has made an otherwise difficult season easier for them.

At times, the two have been sent flying across the back line by opponents’ spikes and they’ve shared the team’s struggles. Together, they’re looking to improve their reading of opponents and in-game adjustments to help SU dig out of an already deep hole.

“We don’t have that type of relationship where we’re always trying to beat each other out,” Crispi said, “it’s more trying to help each other, to lift each other up.”

Against Colgate on Sept. 21, Crispi continually moved up past the 10-foot line, exposing SU defensively and prompting head coach Leonid Yelin to scream that he would take her out if she passed the line again.

With the score at 24-23 in the third set against Pittsburgh on Oct. 12, Sand misplayed a Panther serve to lose the set for SU. All Yelin could do was walk back to SU’s bench and shake his head.

Against Syracuse, Wake Forest built a five-point lead by picking on Sand. As the Demon Deacons attacked the back line, Sand could not get to two balls and two more were hit near her and Violas. WFU aggressively served short and SU’s defensive specialists didn’t adjust.

“With Belle, I’m fine with (her). With Mel(ina) absolutely not … When a freshman like Belle didn’t do it and Mel(ina), that’s two different things,” said Yelin, talking about in-game adjustments.

Both Crispi and Sand are also making the leap from youth and high school volleyball to the college game, which has required them to deal with smarter players.

Crispi said she and Sand have to read opposing hitters better. Reading where a hitter may place the ball is mental rather than physical. Players cannot rely on pure athleticism. They have to rely on their eyes to see the hitter’s arm and read where the hitter will smash the ball.

When one of them has a rough game or practice, they can turn to each other and shake it off.

SU needs Crispi and Sand to make strides too. Sand started at libero against Wake Forest, playing all three sets. Crispi also has been a big part of the rotation, playing in six of the Orange’s eight ACC games.

The two have been thinking past this year, understanding they will carry the defense going forward. But until then, they’ll work together, getting better while leaning on each other’s support.

“There are some practices where it’s hard to get a hold of things and learn things this new way, but we’re always trying to improve,” Crispi said. “We’re always trying to push each other to improve too.”

Published on October 21, 2014 at 12:08 am

Contact Chris: cjlibona@syr.edu | @ChrisLibonati