Volleyball Returns Home for Crucial ACC Matchups

Syracuse vs. Miami
Game Details	Friday, Oct. 12 \| 7 p.m. \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| Women's Building
Game Coverage	Live Coverage: Video \| Stats
Syracuse Links	Notes (PDF) \| News \| Roste r \| Schedule
Miami Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

Syracuse vs. Florida State
Game Details	Sunday, Oct. 14 \| 1 p.m. \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| Women's Building
Game Coverage	Live Coverage: Video \| Stats
Syracuse Links	Notes (PDF) \| News \| Roste r \| Schedule
FSU Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

The Syracuse University volleyball team returns to the Women's Building this weekend begins a four-match homestay as they play host to Miami and Florida State, both of whom are also 5-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Syracuse (9-5, 5-1 ACC) takes on Miami Friday at 7 p.m. for the "Pink Game" to raise awareness for breast cancer research. Sunday's action against Florida State starts at 1 p.m.

THE OPPONENTS
Miami (9-4, 5-1 ACC) carries a three-match win streak into Syracuse. The Hurricanes currently lead the ACC in service aces (1.70) and rank fourth with a .244 hitting percentage. Miami's strong serve recorded an ACC single-match best 14 service aces against Wake Forest earlier this season.

Florida State enters the weekend with a .284 hitting percentage and 13.82 kills per set, ranking second and third, respectively, in the ACC. The Seminoles 2.75 blocks per set are second in the ACC, behind Syracuse. Florida State's sole ACC loss also belongs to Pittsburgh while six of its seven losses have been to top-25 teams.

LAST TIME OUT
'Cuse returns home following a four-game road swing where the Orange picked up three ACC wins over Wake Forest, Duke and Virginia. Syracuse's sole ACC loss came last weekend against then-No. 8 Pittsburgh. Pitt, who remains undefeated on the season, won 3-1 after Syracuse fought back to take a third set, 25-23, victory.

Polina Shemanova led the Orange with 10 kills against the Panthers stout defense while Santita Ebangwese helped Syracuse out-block Pitt 15-10. Ebangwese recorded a season-high 10 blocks.

STAT LEADERS
Shemanova continues to lead the Orange offensively. Since opening conference action against Georgia Tech, Shemanova has averaged an ACC-best 4.45 kills along with a .292 hitting percentage. Ebangwese ranks 20^th nationally with a .396 hitting percentage on the season.

At 3.03 blocks per set, the Orange lead the ACC and rank fourth nationally. Amber Witherspoon and Ebangwese lead 'Cuse with 1.42 and 1.37 blocks per set, respectively. Syracuse is one of just two teams nationally that has multiple blockers among the top-25.

UP NEXT
Following this weekend, Syracuse remains home for a pair of matchups against North Carolina and NC State. 'Cuse welcomes the Tar Heels Oct. 19 for a 7 p.m. start before hosting NC State Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. Both matches will be a part of Alumni Weekend as Syracuse volleyball welcomes back past players.