Spring Break
The Daily OrangeVB | Taller Syracuse wins battle at net, earns midweek sweep
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 11/7/07, 12:09 AM EST Section: Sports
After two weekend losses, it was Syracuse's turn to overmatch an opponent Tuesday.
The Syracuse women's volleyball team had more kills, more blocks and a better kill percentage than its opponent Siena, mostly due to the Orange's ability to use its height and athletic ability to rise higher than the Saints at the net.
SU used its physical advantage to sweep Siena, 3-0, Tuesday night at the Women's Building in front of 211 fans. The Orange (19-12, 6-6) came into the game reeling after being swept this past weekend against St. John's and Connecticut, but it put those bad memories aside to beat Siena (20-7). Cheryl Cobbina and Kacie MacTavish led the charge with 16 and 12 kills, respectively, while seven different players recorded blocks compared to four for Siena.
Although height is a factor that doesn't always come into play, the Orange seemed to utilize its players' height and leaping advantage to overmatch the Saints at the net. The Orange outblocked Siena, 9-4, and was often able to attack Siena's defense without blocking at the front line. The Siena players were forced to recover from digging the Syracuse kills, compared to playing the ball off a block, which is easier to handle. SU finished with a kill percentage of .352 and seemed at times to be able to spike balls down at will.
Siena struggled to deal with SU's tall blockers, including 6-foot-1 Sarah Morton and 6-foot Brittany Kern. The Saints had a kill percentage of .245, including a miniscule .032 in the final game.
"It always helps being taller," Kern said. "So having a height advantage definitely helped us in getting this win. It's very difficult if you're playing against short players for them to hit over you. Hitting against a tall block is a struggle for any team."
The Syracuse women's volleyball team had more kills, more blocks and a better kill percentage than its opponent Siena, mostly due to the Orange's ability to use its height and athletic ability to rise higher than the Saints at the net.
SU used its physical advantage to sweep Siena, 3-0, Tuesday night at the Women's Building in front of 211 fans. The Orange (19-12, 6-6) came into the game reeling after being swept this past weekend against St. John's and Connecticut, but it put those bad memories aside to beat Siena (20-7). Cheryl Cobbina and Kacie MacTavish led the charge with 16 and 12 kills, respectively, while seven different players recorded blocks compared to four for Siena.
Although height is a factor that doesn't always come into play, the Orange seemed to utilize its players' height and leaping advantage to overmatch the Saints at the net. The Orange outblocked Siena, 9-4, and was often able to attack Siena's defense without blocking at the front line. The Siena players were forced to recover from digging the Syracuse kills, compared to playing the ball off a block, which is easier to handle. SU finished with a kill percentage of .352 and seemed at times to be able to spike balls down at will.
Siena struggled to deal with SU's tall blockers, including 6-foot-1 Sarah Morton and 6-foot Brittany Kern. The Saints had a kill percentage of .245, including a miniscule .032 in the final game.
"It always helps being taller," Kern said. "So having a height advantage definitely helped us in getting this win. It's very difficult if you're playing against short players for them to hit over you. Hitting against a tall block is a struggle for any team."
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