Oct. 17, 2006
Final Stats
Kacie MacTavish hammered home the decisive kill in the fifth game to give Syracuse a 15-13 win and a 3-2 (30-23, 22-30, 21-30, 30-25 and 15-13) match victory over Siena in a televised event Tuesday night in Loudonville. MAAC Player of the Week Burgandy McCurty led the Siena offense with 20 kills in 32 attacks.
The Orange rallied behind the serving of libero Joscie Kaup to win nine straight points and take the first game 30-23. The Saints then seized control of the match with convincing 30-22 and 30-21 wins in games two and three respectively. After building a 25-15 lead in the fourth game, the Orange had to fight off a furious Siena rally to take the game 30-25. The fifth game was a back-and-forth battle that turned when Syracuse won two straight points off the service of setter April Quigley.
There were plenty of bright spots for Siena, which had lost 3-0 to the Orange in Syracuse earlier this season. Freshman Kaui Robello played a spectacular match, passing the ball efficiently off the Syracuse service and attack to spur on the Saints' offense. She led the team with 21 digs and teamed with sophomore Kelly Hummel to combine for all four of the team's aces. The Saints rallied consistently behind Hummel's service in particular.
In addition to McCurty's effective offense, setter April London returned to top form, killing eight of her 13 attacks and dictating the Siena attack with 59 well placed assists. Senior Christie Gustafson had 16 kills and Nadiege Honore added 11 in just four games. Cheryl Cobbina had a match-high 23 kills to lead the Syracuse offense. MacTavish had 17 kills and 15 digs.
Siena returns to MAAC action Saturday against Rider at 4 p.m. Prior to the match, the members of the 2005 MAAC Championship team will be presented with their championship rings. Additionally, Kristin May '97 will be inducted into the Siena College Sports Hall of Fame following the match. May will be honored between games three and four as well.
