Irish Battle Syracuse In Five Sets

SYRACUSE. N.Y. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-14, 2-12) fell to the Syracuse Orange (14-12, 2-12) in a five-setter on the road (25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 22-25, 12-15) on Sunday, Nov. 10. 

Phyona Schrader led the way for the Irish with her ninth triple-double of the year as she recorded 17 kills, 20 assists, and 19 digs. Lucy Trump and Avery Ross followed with 13 kills and 12 kills, respectively. Ella Sandt dished out 32 assists for the Irish. 

Despite trailing 4-1 early, it didn’t take long for the Irish offense to get going. A 6-1 run that included back-to-back aces from Trump put the Irish in front 7-5. Leading 15-10 at the media timeout, the Irish forged forward extending their lead to 22-13. The Orange closed the gap to five at 23-18, but a kill from Langer and a block from Schrader and Bohl would secure the set one win 25-20. 

It was back-and-forth to start the second as both teams were unable to pull away with an extended lead. A kill from Ella Sandt put Notre Dame up four at 19-15 to force a Syracuse timeout, but the Orange responded with a 6-2 run to bring it within one at 21-20 and force the Irish timeout. The Irish would close it out on a 4-1 run as another Avery Ross ace capped off the 25-21 win in the second set. 

Kills from Langer and Trump gave the Irish the early 4-0 lead in the third set. The Orange reclaimed the lead at 11-10, but a kill from Trump would put Notre Dame back in front at 16-15. A strong run from the Orange would force a Notre Dame timeout as the Orange led 22-19. The Irish brought it within two at 24-22, but Syracuse won it 25-22. 

The Orange forced an early timeout leading 7-4 as they carried their momentum into the fourth set. While Syracuse continued to lead at 15-10, the Irish went on a 6-1 run to tie it up at 16-all. Syracuse started to pull away and they took set four 25-22 to force a fifth set.

Tied at 8-all in the fifth set, the Orange took a 13-10 advantage forcing a Notre Dame timeout. Notre Dame looked to close the gap, but Syracuse would seal the deal with a 15-12 win in the final set.

The Irish will host No. 25 North Carolina on Friday, Nov. 15 at Purcell Pavilion for Notre Dame’s Senior Night celebration.