University of Louisville
SYRACUSE
Volleyball Squeezes Orange 3-1
October 30, 2009 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 30, 2009
Freshman outside hitter Lola Arslanbekova had a match-high 23 kills and three blocks to lead the University of Louisville to a 3-1 win over visiting Syracuse in BIG EAST volleyball action Friday night in Cardinal Arena.
U of L improves to 13-9 and 6-3 in the conference with the 25-18, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20 win. SU falls to 18-8 and 7-3. U of L hit .260 for the match and edged the Orange in blocking 9-8. Justine Landi had a triple double with 12 kills, 21 assists and 10 digs. Senior middle blocker Lecia Brown had 10 kills and seven blocks for the Cardinals. SU was led by Sarah Morton's 21 kills and two aces.
"We tinkered with our lineup and we had some ragged moments but we settled into it," said U of L head coach Leonid Yelin. "Every match from here out is important in the BIG EAST race as we come down to the end of our schedule."
In the first set, U of L had a hot hitting hand with a .357 hitting percentage led by Lola Arslanbekova's six kills. Kasey Heckelman came off the bench to connect for three kills on four attacks. In the second set, SU jumped out to a five point lead. The Cardinals managed to tie at seven but never led as SU reopened the lead to four at 14-10. The Cards came within one at 18-17 but were then out-scored 8-3 for the 25-20 loss.
U of L never trailed in the third set although SU came within one at 12-11 before the Cardinals broke it open at 22-17 and then cruised to the 25-20 win. In the fourth and final set, U of L powered out to a 15-9 and forced a SU timeout. U of L did not relent and held off the Orange 25-20 for the win.
The Cardinals return to action on Sunday against Marquette at 2 p.m. at Cardinal Arena.
