When Florida State (9-4, 2-0 Atlantic Coast) came to the Carrier Dome on Saturday to face Syracuse (5-9, 0-2) in the Orange’s first match of the year in the Dome, the arena showed the effect it can have on an opponent.

As the match dragged on, though, the No. 17 Seminoles were able to adapt to the different feel of the ball in the Dome and dominantly take the next three sets for a 3-1 win.

“We’re really used to this court,” outside hitter Nicolette Serratore said. “We know how the ball moves in here. That definitely could have been an advantage in the first set. They’re just getting used to it. But I think overall that wasn’t the main thing that affected the game.”

SU again managed to take just one set on Sunday as Syracuse fell 3-1 to Miami (Fla.) (9-3, 2-0).

The Orange practiced three times in the Dome during the week, outside hitter Gosia Wlaszczuk said. She played well against the Seminoles, finishing with eight kills, and believes the Dome provided an overall advantage for herself and her teammates.

“We’re used to the gym,” Wlaszczuk said. “When we go to play in the other team’s gym, we have to practice there to feel the gym. About myself, I can say I’m feeling the Dome definitely this year.”

She also believes that the unusual atmosphere affected FSU’s ability to play at its best — especially in its poor first set.

“It was kind of our strong side,” Wlaszczuk said, “having such a huge space where we’ve already practiced for and they didn’t.”

Head coach Leonid Yelin, however, didn’t feel the Dome had much of an effect on the outcome.

He believes that Syracuse’s lack of practice in the Dome — the Orange played there just a handful of times in the week leading up to the game — evens the playing field with its visiting opponent.

“I don’t think it was a factor,” Yelin said. “It’s not like it’s our home court.”

Junior middle blocker Lindsay McCabe played in the Carrier Dome with SU last season. She almost completely agrees with her coach and said that the conditions of the Dome have little to no effect on whether Syracuse wins its matches.

Both Florida State and Miami had their hiccups, but the Orange doesn’t have much more experience in the Dome than its opponents do.

“I don’t feel like it has too much of an impact,” McCabe said. “We have practiced here the last couple days and they didn’t get a chance to, obviously. I mean, a team like that, I’m sure they’re used to playing in big facilities.”

Published on September 30, 2013 at 1:42 am

Contact Ryan: rlraigro@syr.edu