Polina Shemanova named ACC player of the week

Polina Shemanova was named the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the week earlier today. 

The sophomore shone this past weekend, recording 45 kills, including 22 in Sunday’s 3-0 victory against North Carolina State. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Orange (6-11, 3-7 ACC) as they wrapped up their last of four consecutive road games. 

Continuous kills from Shemanova kept the Orange afloat in a close game against the Wolfpack. Though SU won in straight sets, it never secured more than a three-point lead throughout the match — consistent play from Shemanova made the straight-set victory possible. The sophomore, who leads the ACC in kills per set (4.85) and points per set (5.55), only had three attacking errors after struggling to reduce her errors earlier in the season. The outside hitter has proven to be a crucial part of the Orange defense as well with 19 digs in two games this past weekend. 

Friday, Syracuse suffered a 3-1 loss at North Carolina, but Shemanova recorded 23 kills, only one fewer than her season high. She did, however, register nine attacking errors and three service errors. SU struggled to get going offensively, aside from Shemanova, who saved a potential blowout by keeping the score respectable. 

This season, Shemanova has played in every single set and the Orange offense has run through her. She has 301 kills, 119 more than second-place Ella Saada. 

Next week, Syracuse looks to earn consecutive wins for the first time since mid-September as it faces off against Notre Dame and Louisville in back-to-back home games on Friday and Sunday, respectively.