Syracuse University
Alumni Match
Alumni Match a Success
8/21/2010 7:53:24 PM | Volleyball
Alumni Match Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange unofficially opened its 2010 season with a four-set victory against a team of seven Syracuse volleyball alumni at the annual Alumni Match on Saturday afternoon at the Women's Building. It marked the first game on the new Paarlberg, Patton & Prins Player's Court – the newly refurbished court which was donated by alumni Jessica Paarlberg Mathews and her husband Dan Mathews.
“This was the strongest showing for the alumns to date,” assistant coach Carol LaMarche said. “Gave the girls a match but couldn't pull one off. It was a lot of fun and I hope more alumni continue to come.”
Alumni from the 1990's through 2009 turned out to form the most competitive alumni team yet. LaMarche '02 captained the squad, while Paarlberg Mathews '92 commanded the middle. Setters April Quigley '08 and Kathy Patton Gedney '92 – both in the top 10 on the career chart for assists – directed the alumni offense in a 6-2 formation. Jessica Logan '05 teamed with Annabelle Pellerin '09 on the outside attack while the best defensive specialist in Orange history Joscie Kaup '08 controlled the back row. Assistant coach Shawn Mahmoudi also jumped in, playing opposite Paarlberg Mathews in the middle.
“It was a great opportunity for the whole team to experience a game situation,” senior outside hitter Hayley Todd said. “I also enjoyed how the alumni still feel like they're a part of the Syracuse volleyball family.”
The Orange came out firing in the first set, with outside hitters Todd, Samantha Clarey, Mindy Stanislovaitis and Noemie Lefebvre all notching impressive kills. Sophomore setter Laura Homann directed the SU offense for the first two sets before freshman Amanda Kullman took things over in the third. The three defensive specialists, Zoe Guzman, Sarah Hayes and Ashley Williams each played a set at libero while rotating in for back row defense. Middle blockers Samantha Hinz and Lindsay McCabe also had an impressive showing, both offensively and defensively at the net.
Syracuse took the first set before the alumni began to make things difficult in game two. Tied at 10, the Orange used an 11-point run to increase the separation before eventually securing the win. With SU up by two sets, the alumni continued to make things interesting, coming back from an eight point deficit to tie the third set at 24 before the Orange scored the final two points to earn the win.
The Orange officially opens its season on Friday, August 27 at the Colgate Tournament beginning at 7 p.m. Syracuse returns to the Women's Building to host Buffalo in its home opener on Wednesday, September 7 at 7 p.m. Keep up with the Orange in the meantime via Preseason Central.
The Alumni Match is an annual event for the Syracuse volleyball team, held every August on the Saturday before the season opener. Alumni interested in getting involved and supporting the Orange volleyball program can contact assistant coach Carol LaMarche via email at cmmunger@syr.edu.
