Volleyball: UVA holds off Syracuse in five-set thriller

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

In front of a national TV audience on the ACC Network, the Virginia volleyball team defeated Syracuse in five sets on Wednesday.

The win is UVA’s first victory at Syracuse since 1992 and is the Cavaliers’ sixth league win of the season, the most by a Virginia team since 2015.

Lauryn Bowie led the Cavaliers (16-4, 6-3 ACC) on Wednesday with a team-best 19 kills and four blocks. Elayna Duprey added 14 more kills and tied for the match-high with three aces.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Set 1: Syracuse 25, Virginia 19
In a set that saw nine ties and four lead changes, the two squads battled to an 18-18 tie before the homestanding Orange (12-9, 0-9) tallied seven of the final eight points to take the opening set.

Set 2:  Virginia 25, Syracuse 19
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the second set and never looked back. A Milan Gomillion ace capped off a 5-0 run that extended the UVA advantage to 18-9. Syracuse made a late push before a Bowie kill sewed up the second set in favor of the Hoos.

Set 3: Virginia 25, Syracuse 22
Virginia scored the first four points of the set and never relinquished the lead. Just like in the second set, the Orange made a late run and got to within a pair at 24-22. Ashley Le picked up her sixth kill of the night to seal the set for UVA.

Set 4: Syracuse 25, Virginia 21
The back-and-forth continued into the fourth set as the two squads dueled to an 8-8 tie. Following the tie, Syracuse built a lead, steady lead that started with a 3-0 run. Virginia threatened in the later stages with a 4-0 run before the Orange claimed the set’s final two points.

Set 5: Virginia 15, Syracuse 13
After falling behind 3-0, the Cavaliers stormed back with a 7-0 run of their own that was highlighted by back-to-back Duprey aces. Virginia fended off one more late Syracuse surge to take the set and the match on a service error by the Orange.

WITH THE WIN…

• With an overall record of 16-4, Virginia is off to its best 20-match start since 2003.
• UVA is off to a 6-3 in start in ACC play, its best start since 2006.
• Virginia snapped a five-match road losing streak to the Orange and improved to 5-11 in the all-time series against Syracuse, which began in 1990.
• The Cavaliers move to 5-1 in five-set matches this season. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Ashley Le tallied a career-high six kills in the contest.
• As a team, UVA collected a season-high 69 kills.
• The 69 kills are tied for 10th kills in program history.

UP NEXT  

The Cavaliers will continue the road weekend against Boston College on Sunday. The match can be streamed on ACCNX.