Spring Break
The Daily OrangeVB | Confidence not an issue for SU after 2 sweeps
By Jesse Caputo
Posted: 10/29/07, 11:59 PM EST Section: Sports
As if the Syracuse volleyball team needed anything extra to pump it up Sunday, Joscie Kaup's family brought out a volleyball-shaped pinata for the team to smash open and feast on some chocolate before its game against rival Pittsburgh.
After coming out of Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday with a 3-0 sweep over the Mountaineers, Syracuse had its sights set on Pitt, which was 14-10 on the season. Last year, Syracuse recorded a come-from-behind victory in five. SU once again looked for a key win on its four-game road trip that will play a deciding factor in whether it makes the Big East Tournament.
"We were laughing, having fun and pretending the ball was Pitt," SU sophomore Kacie MacTavish said. "It put us in the right state of mind. We were having fun and joking around, but still was ready to go kick some ass."
Maybe there was something in the chocolate, because the Orange trounced the Panthers, 3-0, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
With the two sweeps, SU sits tied for the fifth seed in the tournament, though it has lost to the other two teams, South Florida and Cincinnati, fighting for a spot. The Orange has five matches remaining before the Big East Tournament, which begins Nov. 16. The top eight teams qualify.
After having played a major role in SU's wins over the previous week, senior Cheryl Cobbina no longer had to lead the team on her own. While Cobbina did ring up a double-double with 14 kills and 12 digs against Pittsburgh, sophomore MacTavish stepped up and delivered a double-double of her own with 12 kills and 10 digs. MacTavish also registered a double-double against West Virginia.
Junior April Quigley added her own double-double with 45 assists and 10 digs against the Panthers. Starters Sarah Morton and Brittany Kern contributed eight kills and seven total blocks, and 14 kills, respectively.
"This is a good time to reach our peak," SU assistant coach Carol LaMarche said. "If we stay healthy, injury free, we can keep moving at the tempo we are and take it into the Big East Tournament. Right now, we are playing the best volleyball we've played all year, and that's what you want this time of year."
After coming out of Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday with a 3-0 sweep over the Mountaineers, Syracuse had its sights set on Pitt, which was 14-10 on the season. Last year, Syracuse recorded a come-from-behind victory in five. SU once again looked for a key win on its four-game road trip that will play a deciding factor in whether it makes the Big East Tournament.
"We were laughing, having fun and pretending the ball was Pitt," SU sophomore Kacie MacTavish said. "It put us in the right state of mind. We were having fun and joking around, but still was ready to go kick some ass."
Maybe there was something in the chocolate, because the Orange trounced the Panthers, 3-0, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
With the two sweeps, SU sits tied for the fifth seed in the tournament, though it has lost to the other two teams, South Florida and Cincinnati, fighting for a spot. The Orange has five matches remaining before the Big East Tournament, which begins Nov. 16. The top eight teams qualify.
After having played a major role in SU's wins over the previous week, senior Cheryl Cobbina no longer had to lead the team on her own. While Cobbina did ring up a double-double with 14 kills and 12 digs against Pittsburgh, sophomore MacTavish stepped up and delivered a double-double of her own with 12 kills and 10 digs. MacTavish also registered a double-double against West Virginia.
Junior April Quigley added her own double-double with 45 assists and 10 digs against the Panthers. Starters Sarah Morton and Brittany Kern contributed eight kills and seven total blocks, and 14 kills, respectively.
"This is a good time to reach our peak," SU assistant coach Carol LaMarche said. "If we stay healthy, injury free, we can keep moving at the tempo we are and take it into the Big East Tournament. Right now, we are playing the best volleyball we've played all year, and that's what you want this time of year."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
phil morton
posted 10/31/07 @ 12:27 PM EST
Jess
I'm very happy that your giving Cheryl credit for some good play in the last couple of games and "playing a major role in the past wins over the previous week" but to imply that she had "to lead the team on her own" is a joke. (Continued…)
phil morton
posted 10/31/07 @ 12:37 PM EST
Jess
I'm very happy that your giving Cheryl credit for good play in the last couple of games and "playing a major role in the past wins over the previous week" but to imply that she had "to lead the team on her own" is a joke. (Continued…)
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