Two Atlantic Coast Conference weekends have led to no wins and four losses for the Syracuse volleyball team, and its digging struggles have contributed to the slow start.

This weekend, Syracuse (7-9, 0-4 ACC) will duel Miami (Florida) and Pittsburgh, two teams that generally hit well. Against teams that do, the Orange is surrendering a hitting percentage just under 20 percent, which is good for 153rd in the nation. Pittsburgh (13-2, 1-1) is ranked fifth in the nation in kills per set and Miami (9-6, 2-2) is 51st in the nation in hitting percentage.

For SU, being consistent from game to game has been a noticeable problem, and improving its digging could start mitigating the problem. SU has had three freshmen defensive specialists play during conference play and they’re looking to conquer a learning curve.

“When you’re not playing well one game,” senior middle blocker Lindsey McCabe said, “that doesn’t mean that the rest of the season is going to be a disaster. Each game is its own event.”

It’s been the defense that’s had a hard time at the front of the Orange’s conference slate. SU ranks 12th in the nation in blocks per set, but ranks 237th in the nation in digs per set.

Head coach Leonid Yelin said he believes the team is struggling more with its discipline on hits than anything else. He said the team needs to focus on digging more “position balls” than “crazy balls,” as he terms them.

“Position balls” are hit to a spot where someone is supposed to be and can dig the ball. “Crazy balls” are those that find a gap in the defense and are much harder to defend, but those are the ones the team is chasing.

To improve, SU is using various drills to get players to stay in good position to execute digs.

“We are hitting balls to positions where they have to stay (so) they get a habit to stay,” Yelin said. “If you have an old habit, you’re not going to build anything until you bury it, kill the old one.”

The team has also been working on “digging from the pins” said Dana Crispi, a freshman defensive specialist. A hitter will knock the ball from different angles to get players used to seeing the ball from various angles.

While Yelin emphasized positioning drills to improve, players stressed the importance of reading the other teams’ hitters. Crispi and Belle Sand, another freshman defensive specialist, both emphasized the importance of reading a player’s arm to know where the ball is going. To prepare for Miami and Pittsburgh, the team took reps to practice reading the hitters.

Improving on digs is important for the team in getting back on track. And while strong digging is important to create scoring opportunities, they can also stop opponents from gaining momentum — and create some for the digging team.

“Nothing is more helpful to get the team jacked than if you get an amazing dig,” Sand said. “When an opposing hitter creams the ball and you somehow get it up, the team goes wild.”

Published on October 9, 2014 at 12:10 am

Contact Chris: cjlibona@syr.edu | @ChrisLibonati