SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Sept. 25, 2005) ? The USF volleyball team lost its second-straight BIG EAST match of the 2005 season, as Syracuse defeated the Bulls, 3-0 (30-17, 30-19, 30-20), at Manley Field House in Syracuse, N.Y., Sunday afternoon.
USF (1-9, 0-2 BIG EAST) struggled offensively in the match, being out-hit by Syracuse .393 to .108. The Orange (10-4, 2-0 BIG EAST) also took advantage of USF's misplays, as the Bulls committed 12 more errors than the Orange (33-21).
Sophomore
Michelle Stalbaum paced the way for USF, recording 15 kills and an ace. Her 15-kill effort was the 23rd 10-plus-kill match for the Gainesville, Fla., native.
Kristina Fabris also continued her solid offensive play, chipping in 11 kills, one block solo and one block assist.
For the Orange, Kristen Conway led the way in kills, tallying 18 while hitting .515 in the match. She also contributed on defense, tying the team-high in block assists with three.
Game one opened up with USF jumping out to a 6-4 lead. Syracuse chipped into the Bulls advantage by tying it up, and then USF took a two-point lead, 8-6. That would be the last time the Bulls would be out in front as the Orange went on a 15-6 run to take control of the game, 21-14. USF would only go on to score three more points before Syracuse closed out the game for the win, 30-17.
The second game started out with Syracuse taking a 7-4 lead and USF tying it up. This would happen once more ? the Orange taking a lead and the Bulls tying it up, 10-10 ? before Syracuse used a 10-1 run to take a 20-11 lead. USF answered back, using an 8-4 run to cut into the lead, 24-19, however the Orange would score six unanswered points to win the second game, 30-19.
Game three featured six ties and three lead changes until Syracuse took a four point lead, 20-16, and never looked back, completing the sweep with a 30-20 win. The Orange out-hit the Bulls in the game, .319 to .143, although USF had the advantage in digs, 24 to 19.
USF will return home next weekend to kick off its home portion of its BIG EAST matches. On Friday the Bulls will welcome Pittsburgh to The Corral at 7 p.m. and then West Virginia on Sunday at 2 p.m.
