Nov. 15, 2008

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y.—In a close four-set match, the University of Pittsburgh women’s volleyball team dropped its first conference-road match of the season against Syracuse at the Women’s Building. Pitt fell to 15-13 on the year and 7-6 in league play with scores of 25=18, 23-25, 21-25 and 20-25.

On the road, the Panthers have won six matches this season including five over all of its Big East opponents.

As they have done most of the season, Pitt out-blocked the Orange, 10-9. Junior Meagan Dooley (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) recorded six blocks in the match and senior Jessica Moses (North Olmstead, Ohio/Lutheran West) added four.

Dooley also added 10 kills off 13 attempts for a .692 hitting clip, while Moses boasted a .500 hitting percentage in the contest. Moses recorded 11 kills off 18 swings and served a career-high three aces.

Senior Kelly Campbell (Mansfield, Ohio/Mansfield/Pacific) tallied three aces for the Panthers, as well, and tallied a double-double with match highs of 16 kills and 12 digs.

Pitt won the first set with a game-high six kills from Campbell and 11 assists on 15 kills for senior Nicole Taurence (Trenton, Mich./Trenton). The set was tied at 15 before Pitt went on a 10-3 run to earn the 25-18 victory.

In the next set, senior Stephanie Ross (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) gave the Panthers a 19-17 lead with a kill from Taurence. A few plays later the set was tied at 20, but a kill from Campbell would push the Panthers ahead 21-20. Syracuse and Pitt would then trade points on the next few plays, but the Orange would outlast the Panthers, 25-23.

The fourth set started with a 5-0 Syracuse run. The Orange also held Pitt to a .030 hitting percentage in the 25-21 loss.

Later, Moses registered a set-high six kills in the final game of the match. Pitt opened the final set ahead, but lost the eventual lead after a 7-7 tie.

In the match, sophomore Amy Town (Orillia, Ont./Orillia) recorded 10 kills, while Taurence tallied 47 assists. Pitt travels to Marquette for its regular-season finale at 2 p.m. on Sunday.