Syracuse University
Niagara University
Volleyball Heads to Niagara
8/31/2009 9:15:30 PM | Volleyball
LiveStats
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Orange puts its undefeated record (3-0) on the line Tuesday, September 1 as it visits Niagara for a 6 p.m. match.
Syracuse dominated its opponents at the Big Orange Tournament, capturing the title with a trio of 3-0 victories against New Hampshire and Siena and a 3-2 win against Sacramento State. SU captured the tournament title with a balanced attack that has a .243 attack percentage entering the Niagara match and all five starters with double-digit kills on the season. Senior outside hitter Kacie MacTavish leads the group with 39 kills on the season while sophomore Noemie Lefebvre ranks second with 31. Setter Laura Homann, who earned Freshman of the Week honors for her three performances, fueled the Orange offense with 120 assists.
Sound defensive play in the back row and at the net also played a role in Syracuse's 3-0 weekend. Senior libero led the Orange with 62 digs while MacTavish added 42 and Lefebvre chipped in 32. Senior middle blocker Sarah Morton was unstoppable at the net, recording 26 total blocks including 15 solo stops, helping the Orange out block its opponents 35-21.
Scouting Niagara
The Purple Eagles enter Tuesday's match coming off a tournament championship of their own as they defeated Coppin State, Providence and Hartford all 3-0 at the 2009 Niagara Invitational. Niagara's 3-0 record marks the best start in school history. Sophomore Hannah Hendrick leads the Purple Eagles offensively with 33 kills while sophomore setter Michelle James logged 105 assists through the three matches. Sophomore Sam Morgan leads Niagara defensively with 41 digs while sophomore Kathy Bibler's eight total blocks is a team-best mark.
Syracuse-Niagara Series
Syracuse is an undefeated 12-0 in the all-time series with Niagara which dates back to 2003. The two teams last met in 2008 in Syracuse where the Orange cruised to a 3-0 victory (25-18, 25-13, 25-17) with MacTavish and Morton leading the way with 11 kills each.
