Spring Break
The Daily OrangeVB | SU shakes 2nd game woes in 'must-win' vs. Marquette
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 10/22/07, 12:11 AM EST Section: Sports
Syracuse women's volleyball senior Cheryl Cobbina knew it. Her assistant coach knew it, too. Although the term gets used a lot in sports, Saturday's Big East volleyball match against Marquette was a must-win for the Orange.
After recent disappointing home losses to South Florida and Notre Dame, SU came into Saturday's match against the Golden Eagles in 10th place with a 3-4 record in the conference. Only eight teams qualify for the Big East Championship.
Further complicating matters was SU's upcoming schedule, which features four of its six remaining conference matches on the road, where the Orange is 0-2 in Big East matches. One of those remaining matches is at No. 22 St. John's.
The Orange had to beat the Golden Eagles. It did.
Strong defensive play and a strong third game propelled Syracuse this weekend as it defeated Marquette, 3-1, Saturday in the Women's Building. Syracuse also avoided a letdown after a big match with a similarly solid defensive effort in a 3-1 non-conference victory over Long Island Sunday.
Coming into the pivotal match against Marquette (8-10, 5-3), the coaching staff emphasized the importance of the game.
"The coaching staff knew it was a must-win," SU assistant coach Carol LaMarche said. "We're going into the second half of the Big East play, and we came out the first half 3-4, and we're fighting for the seventh and eight spot. We knew that Marquette was one we needed."
The Orange (14-10, 4-4) reversed its curse of struggling after losing a second game and played a solid third game, jumping out to a quick 8-3 lead and an eventual 30-21 win. Just as it had in the first game - a 30-26 SU win - the team was full of energy and made impressive digs. At one point, senior Joscie Kaup ran all the way to the stands to save a ball that led to an eventual point.
After recent disappointing home losses to South Florida and Notre Dame, SU came into Saturday's match against the Golden Eagles in 10th place with a 3-4 record in the conference. Only eight teams qualify for the Big East Championship.
Further complicating matters was SU's upcoming schedule, which features four of its six remaining conference matches on the road, where the Orange is 0-2 in Big East matches. One of those remaining matches is at No. 22 St. John's.
The Orange had to beat the Golden Eagles. It did.
Strong defensive play and a strong third game propelled Syracuse this weekend as it defeated Marquette, 3-1, Saturday in the Women's Building. Syracuse also avoided a letdown after a big match with a similarly solid defensive effort in a 3-1 non-conference victory over Long Island Sunday.
Coming into the pivotal match against Marquette (8-10, 5-3), the coaching staff emphasized the importance of the game.
"The coaching staff knew it was a must-win," SU assistant coach Carol LaMarche said. "We're going into the second half of the Big East play, and we came out the first half 3-4, and we're fighting for the seventh and eight spot. We knew that Marquette was one we needed."
The Orange (14-10, 4-4) reversed its curse of struggling after losing a second game and played a solid third game, jumping out to a quick 8-3 lead and an eventual 30-21 win. Just as it had in the first game - a 30-26 SU win - the team was full of energy and made impressive digs. At one point, senior Joscie Kaup ran all the way to the stands to save a ball that led to an eventual point.
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