Spring Break
The Daily OrangeVBALL | McQuillin recalls favorite moments on heels of final home game for SU
By Zach Zagger
Posted: 11/2/06, 10:07 PM EST Section: Sports
In last season's Big East tournament, the Syracuse volleyball team was down two games to none against rival Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals. Facing elimination, the team rallied to win three straight games, taking the match and beating the Panthers in the Big East tournament for the first time in school history.
It was this game that Syracuse's lone senior, Erin McQuillin, remembers as her favorite.
McQuillin said it was a defining moment for the team and the fact that it was against Pitt factored into it.
"It was definitely an amazing moment and experience for SU volleyball," McQuillin said.
This Sunday is senior day as the Orange plays its final home match of the season against Big East opponent Connecticut (16-9, 5-5 Big East) at 2 p.m., and it will be McQuillin's final match at Manley Field House.
Though Sunday is an important match, the Orange is preparing to take on the No. 1 team in the conference, St. John's, tonight at 7. The Red Storm (25-1, 10-0) is on a 16-game win streak and will be a formidable opponent for a young Syracuse squad.
"We need to step up and play at the level that we played against Pittsburgh (on Oct. 22)," junior Cheryl Cobbina said. "We have not gotten back up to playing that well since then."
The Orange (11-20, 5-6) repeated its heroics vs. Pitt this season with another big upset last month. Since reaching that pinnacle, the team is struggling to hang on to postseason hopes. After beating Pitt, the Orange has only won one of three games, including a disappointing loss to in-state rival Cornell.
Even with the rough first half of the season, McQuillin has enjoyed playing for the Orange in her senior year. The character and ability of this team is not reflected in Syracuse's record, McQuillin said.
"I know it sounds cliché, but it's meant the world to me to play a Division I sport," she added.
McQuillin appreciates the opportunity she had at Syracuse to not only play volleyball but study at a great school, especially for her major in communications.
It was this game that Syracuse's lone senior, Erin McQuillin, remembers as her favorite.
McQuillin said it was a defining moment for the team and the fact that it was against Pitt factored into it.
"It was definitely an amazing moment and experience for SU volleyball," McQuillin said.
This Sunday is senior day as the Orange plays its final home match of the season against Big East opponent Connecticut (16-9, 5-5 Big East) at 2 p.m., and it will be McQuillin's final match at Manley Field House.
Though Sunday is an important match, the Orange is preparing to take on the No. 1 team in the conference, St. John's, tonight at 7. The Red Storm (25-1, 10-0) is on a 16-game win streak and will be a formidable opponent for a young Syracuse squad.
"We need to step up and play at the level that we played against Pittsburgh (on Oct. 22)," junior Cheryl Cobbina said. "We have not gotten back up to playing that well since then."
The Orange (11-20, 5-6) repeated its heroics vs. Pitt this season with another big upset last month. Since reaching that pinnacle, the team is struggling to hang on to postseason hopes. After beating Pitt, the Orange has only won one of three games, including a disappointing loss to in-state rival Cornell.
Even with the rough first half of the season, McQuillin has enjoyed playing for the Orange in her senior year. The character and ability of this team is not reflected in Syracuse's record, McQuillin said.
"I know it sounds cliché, but it's meant the world to me to play a Division I sport," she added.
McQuillin appreciates the opportunity she had at Syracuse to not only play volleyball but study at a great school, especially for her major in communications.
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