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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

Arizona volleyball improves to 7-0 after defeat of Syracuse

Opposite+Hitter+Nikki+Attea+returns+a+ball+to+the+CSUN+side+at+the+Sept.+5+game.+The+teams+record+has+been+consistent+this+season.
Rebecca Noble

Opposite Hitter Nikki Attea returns a ball to the CSUN side at the Sept. 5 game. The team’s record has been consistent this season.

Arizona volleyball defeated Syracuse University in four sets for the opening game of the Blackbird Invitational in Long Island, New York, improving its record to 7-0 and continuing an undefeated season.

After Syracuse dominated the first set 25-16, just the second set the Wildcats have lost all season, it looked as though their undefeated season could possibly come to an end.

But that feeling wouldn’t last much longer.

Arizona got off to a fast start in the second set, taking a comfortable 12-4 lead. Syracuse would slowly cut the lead down and eventually made the score 23-21, but the Wildcats were able to close out the second 25-21.

In the third set, with the set score tied at one a piece, the Wildcats again showed their comeback ability when pressed in tough situations. The score was tied at 9-9, but Syracuse claimed 11 of the next 14 points, taking a commanding 20-12 lead.

At this moment, it looked as though the Wildcats would lose the third set and go down two sets to one. However, just as they did against Southern Methodist University and the University of South Dakota , Arizona fought back and approached a tie at 20-16. Syracuse would claim the next two points to go up 22-16, making the potential for a possible comeback come back unlikely.

The Wildcats were able to win six points a row and tied the score at 22-22. After Syracuse reclaimed the lead 23-22, the Wildcats won three straight points and took the third set 25-23.

The Wildcats took their momentum into the fourth set, claiming a 14-8 lead after an 8-8 tie. Syracuse would trim the lead down to three, nearing the Wildcats at 17-14. But their efforts were not enough, and the Wildcats would go onto to win the match 25-18.

Today, the Wildcats will look to continue on their undefeated season, playing Long Island University Brooklyn at 9:30 a.m. and No. 15 Ohio State at 2 p.m. Ohio State will be the first ranked opponent Arizona has played all year.


Follow Brandon James on Twitter.


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