Syracuse University
Rutgers University
Orange Hosts Rutgers, Seton Hall
10/1/2009 10:51:21 PM | Volleyball
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange looks to extend its home undefeated streak against BIG EAST foes Rutgers and Seton Hall as part of Orange Central weekend. SU will host Rutgers in Manley Field House on Friday, October 2 at 7 p.m. before entertaining Seton Hall on Sunday, October 4 at 2 p.m.
The first Orange Central weekend is a combination of the 2009 Syracuse homecoming and reunion celebration.
Last Time Out: Beginning BIG EAST
After dominating Cornell, 3-0, in a mid-week matchup, the Orange opened conference play on the road, visiting West Virginia on Saturday and Pittsburgh on Sunday. Syracuse secured its first BIG EAST victory of the season against the Mountaineers, cruising to a 3-0 victory before falling short at Pittsburgh, 0-3.
Senior middle blocker Sarah Morton paced SU offensively with 20 kills, while firing off a career-best six aces at West Virginia to earn her third BIG EAST Honor Roll selection of the season. Outside hitter Kacie MacTavish ranked second on the team with 18 kills while Noemie Lefebvre had 17. Rookie setter Laura Homann dished out 66 assists through the two contests while senior libero Shanetha McLaurin led the back row with 26 digs.
Orange on the Net
Friday's matchup against the Scarlet Knights will be the first of three matches to be broadcast on Orange All Access. Fans can enjoy live video and audio of the Friday match by signing up for Orange All Access. Subscriptions are $5.95 for a 24-hour pass, $9.95 per month or $79.95 per year.
Both matches will also be available via live stats.
Syracuse-Rutgers Series
Syracuse holds a 13-7 edge in the all-time series with Rutgers, which dates back to 1983, with the Orange winning the last five meetings between the two squads. SU easily defeated Rutgers on the road last season, winning 3-0 in New Brunswick. The Scarlet Knights last win against the Orange came in Manley Field House in 2003, where they pulled out a narrow 3-2 victory.
Scouting the Scarlet Knights
Rutgers is a different team in its second season under the direction of head coach CJ Werneke, entering Friday's match at 7-8 overall, compared to its 2-22 record from a year ago. The Scarlet Knights split its BIG EAST opening weekend, falling to league-leading South Florida, 1-3, on Saturday before sweeping Georgetown, 3-0 on Sunday.
The Scarlet Knights have a young squad, returning five starters and the starting libero from a year ago. Junior Caitlin Saxton leads the Rutgers offense with 201 kills on the season, joining Morton on the conference ledger for points per game (ranked ninth with 3.82) while also ranking eighth in kills per game (3.47). Senior Jamie Godfrey is one of the most experienced players in the Rutgers lineup, ranking sixth in the BIG EAST with 4.14 digs per game, while freshman Stephanie Zielinski has stepped into the role of starting setter, dishing out 426 assists on the season.
Syracuse-Seton Hall Series
Syracuse holds a commanding edge in the 27-year old all-time series with Seton Hall, 26-6, despite having lost the most recent meeting between the two teams. The two teams last met in South Orange, N.J. on Nov. 8, 2008, where the Pirates won, 3-0.
First-year assistant coach Shawn Mahmoudi is a Seton Hall alumnae, having played three seasons as a middle blocker for the Pirates. Mahmoudi posted 334 kills and 111 blocks in the middle during her collegiate career.
Scouting the Pirates
Seton Hall has lost two of its last three matches and is 7-11 on the season entering the weekend. The Pirates will face the Golden Eagles of Marquette in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday before touching down in Syracuse on Sunday. Like the Orange, Seton Hall split its BIG EAST opening weekend, defeating Georgetown, 3-2, before dropping a 3-0 decision to league-leading USF.
Junior Sarah Osmun paces the Pirates offensively, with 200 kills on the season while rookie setter Olivia Trudeau's 592 assists are a team-best mark. Senior Allie Matters is Seton Hall's back row leader, ranking second among conference defensive specialists with 4.94 digs per game and 341 total pick-ups on the season. Rounding out the Pirates statistic leaders is sophomore middle blocker Krissy Wrobel, who ranks ninth in the conference blocks per set list, which is headlined by Morton. Wrobel averages 1.03 blocks per game and 1.19 blocks per game over the last seven matches.
Orange Volleyball News and Notes
Nation's Best Blocker
Since the beginning of the season, senior middle blocker Sarah Morton has been setting the standard for NCAA Division I student-athletes in total blocks with 93. Morton outpaces the rest of the field by 13 total blocks and ranks seventh nationally with a 1.50 blocks per set average.
BIG EAST Home Openers
Syracuse is 15-12 in BIG EAST openers since beginning conference play in 1982. The Orange has opened home conference play against Rutgers on four separate occasions, compiling a 3-1 record. In 2007, SU opened home BIG EAST play against Rutgers on Sept. 21, cruising to a 3-0 victory.
Current Orange vs. Rutgers
Nine players on the Syracuse roster have faced the Scarlet Knights in their careers.
Sarah Morton – 33 kills, 12 blocks (3 matches)
Kacie MacTavish – 28 kills, 21 digs (3 matches)
Shanetha McLaurin – 6 digs (3 matches)
Hayley Todd – 8 kills, 4 blocks (2 matches)
Annabelle Pellerin – 6 kills, 4 digs (1 match)
Sarah Hayes – 1 service ace (1 match)
Noemie Lefebvre – 7 kills, 13 digs (1 match)
Erin Little – 5 kills, 2 blocks (1 match)
Ashley Williams – 3 digs (1 match)
Home At Last
Manley Field House will be the permanent home for all Orange volleyball matches during the 2009 season, due to the opening of the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center in October. Prior to 2009, home matches after Oct. 16 would take place in the Women's Building due to basketball practice in Manley. This season will mark the first time in program history that Syracuse will play all its matches in Manley. Prior to the 1990 season the Orange competed exclusively in the Women's Building.
BIG EAST Honors
Syracuse student-athletes have earned BIG EAST accolades in three out of five weeks this season. Setter Laura Homann earned Freshman of the Week honors after her first collegiate action on Aug. 31. Morton is a three-time honor roll selection early in the season, garnering the honor on Aug. 31, Sept. 14 and most recently Sept. 28.
Pu Closing in on 300 Wins at SU
Jing Pu is rapidly approaching his 300th win as Syracuse head coach. Pu began his tenure with the Orange in 1995 and currently holds a 293-192 record during his time at SU.
Morton Never Misses a Match
Morton has been a mainstay for the Orange at middle blocker, having never missed a set throughout her entire collegiate career. Entering Friday's match against Rutgers, Morton has played in 117 consecutive matches and 428 career games. The team captain is on pace to break into both career lists for matches and games played by the end of the season.
Two other Orange have played in every match of their collegiate careers to date, sophomore outside hitter Noemie Lefebvre has played in all 48 matches of her career while freshman setter Laura Homann has participated in all 16 games this season.
All-Around Effort
The 2009 Orange has a deep bench, with experience spread throughout as all 14 players on the roster have been involved in many games this season. Every player on the SU roster had a hand in the Orange's 3-0 victory against Brown in the opening round of the Rhode Island Tournament on Sept. 11. Every student-athlete also participated in the 3-1 loss to Texas State at the SMU Tournament on Sept. 19 and also saw action at home against Cornell on Sept. 23.
