Volleyball Opens Season With Syracuse Tournament

Syracuse vs. Siena
Game Details	Friday, Aug. 25 \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| Women's Building \| 10 a.m.
Game Coverage	Live Coverage: Stats
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roste r \| Schedule
Siena Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

Syracuse vs. Grand Canyon
Game Details	Friday, Aug. 25 \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| Women's Building \| 6 p.m.
Game Coverage	Live Coverage: Stats
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roste r \| Schedule
Grand Canyon Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

Syracuse vs. Niagara
Game Details	Saturday, Aug. 26 \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| Women's Building \| 10 a.m.
Game Coverage	Live Coverage: Stats
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roste r \| Schedule
Niagara Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

Syracuse vs. Colgate
Game Details	Saturday, Aug. 26 \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| Women's Building \| 8 p.m.
Game Coverage	Live Coverage: Stats
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roste r \| Schedule
Colgate Links	Quick Facts \| News \| Roster \| Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse volleyball team begins the 2017 campaign on home court as the Orange host Siena, Grand Canyon, Niagara and Colgate in the Syracuse Tournament on Aug. 25-26 in the Women's Building.

'Cuse will matchup against Siena and Grand Canyon on the 25^th at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. On the 26^th, Syracuse will meet Niagara at 10 a.m. and Colgate at 8 p.m.

Coach's Thoughts:
"We feel good," said head coach Leonid Yelin. "It's the first game, especially to have it at home, everyone is excited. I think that playing in front of friends and family in our home gym will really help us."

The Returners:
Preseason All-ACC Selection Santita Ebangwese headlines a group of 11 returners, which includes five starters. The team also returns the 2016 leaders for kills, assists and digs in Anastasiya Gorelina (281 kills), Jalissa Trotter (691 assists) and Belle Sand (416 digs).

The Opponents:
This will be the 25^th meeting between Syracuse and Siena. The Orange lead the all-time series 22-2 and are currently on a three-match winning streak. The two sides met in the Syracuse Tournament last year and 'Cuse came away with a four-set victory. The Saints were picked to finish sixth in the MAAC preseason coaches' poll.

Syracuse meets Grand Canyon for the first time. The Lopes recently made the jump to Division I in 2013. GCU was picked seventh in the WAC preseason coaches' poll and finished the 2016 season with a 6-21 mark.

The Orange hold a 15-1 series record over Niagara and have won the last two matchups. The last meeting between the teams was in the 2014 Big Orange Tournament and Syracuse came away with a four-set win. The Purple Eagles were picked to place fourth in the MAAC preseason coaches' poll.

'Cuse and Colgate square off for the 62^nd time. The Orange lead the all-time series 48-11-2, but Colgate has left victorious in the previous two meetings. Syracuse last defeated Colgate in the 2012 campaign. The Raiders finished 18-11 and reached the Patriot League Tournament Final in 2016.

Tournament Schedule:
8/25
10 a.m.                 Syracuse vs. Siena
1 p.m.                   Colgate vs. Niagara
6 p.m.                   Syracuse vs. Grand Canyon
8/26
10 a.m.                 Syracuse vs. Niagara
12:30 p.m.          Grand Canyon vs. Siena
3 p.m.                   Siena vs. Colgate
5:30 p.m.             Niagara vs. Grand Canyon
8 p.m.                   Syracuse vs. Colgate

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