Friday, November 28
Syracuse, NY
3:00 PM
Syracuse University
13-17,5-15ACC
1
vs
3
Virginia Tech
12-19,4-16ACC
1
2
3
4
F
Virginia Tech
25
24
25
27
3
Syracuse
22
26
20
25
1
Orange Fall to Virginia Tech in Season Finale
11/28/2025 6:22:00 PM | Volleyball
The Syracuse University volleyball team (13-17, 5-15 ACC) concluded its 2025 season on Friday afternoon, falling to Virginia Tech 3-1 (22-25, 26-24, 20-25, 25-27) at the Women's Building. The Orange won the second set and fought back from deficits in both the third and fourth sets but could not overcome the Hokies in the season finale.
Gabby McLaughlin led Syracuse with 19 kills and added 11 digs for her 16th double-double of the season. Soana Lea'ea recorded a season-high 14 kills on .429 hitting, while Sydnie Waller tied her season high with 15 kills on .393 hitting. Tehya Maeva tallied 53 assists and added three service aces. Brianna Holladay was crucial in the match for Virginia Tech, recording 13 kills while posting a .455 hitting percentage to go with nine blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia Tech jumped out to an early lead in the first set and maintained control throughout. The Orange pulled within 23-22 late with a kill from Waller and solo block from Lea'ea on back-to-back points, but the Hokies closed out the set 25-22. Syracuse hit just .122 in the opening frame with 11 kills.
It appeared as if the Hokies were on their way to steal the second set, as the Orange trailed, 23-21. Syracuse rallied and capitalized off of a couple of Virginia Tech errors. Waller delivered the clinching kill to even the match at 1-1.
A quick run from the Hokies put the Orange into a hole in the early stages of set three, as Virginia Tech used a six-point run to go up 8-2. The Orange continued to chip away, though, pulling within 19-15 after a five-point serving run by George. Syracuse closed to 20-17 but could not complete the comeback, falling 25-20. The Orange hit .150 with 16 kills in the set.
Neither team could pull ahead in the fourth set which featured 18 ties and nine lead changes. Lea'ea and Waller continued to get more involved in the offense to keep the Orange within striking distance. The Orange tied it at 24-24 and again at 25-25, but the Hokies scored the final two points to win 27-25. Syracuse posted its best hitting percentage of the match at .333 with 17 kills in the set.
NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS
• Gabby McLaughlin posted her 16th double-double of the season with 19 kills and 11 digs. She also hit .161.
• Soana Lea'ea recorded a season-high 14 kills on .429 hitting, her best attacking performance of the year.
• Sydnie Waller tied her season high with 15 kills and hit .393.
• Tehya Maeva distributed 53 assists and added three service aces and eight digs.
• Emma Ortiz led the defense with 12 digs.
• Rana Yamada contributed 19 digs.
• Syracuse hit .187 as a team with 59 kills.
• The Orange recorded five service aces.
• The fourth set featured 18 ties, the most of any set in the match.
For the latest news on the Syracuse volleyball program, follow CuseVB on Facebook, @CuseVB on Instagram, and @CuseVB on X/Twitter.
Gabby McLaughlin led Syracuse with 19 kills and added 11 digs for her 16th double-double of the season. Soana Lea'ea recorded a season-high 14 kills on .429 hitting, while Sydnie Waller tied her season high with 15 kills on .393 hitting. Tehya Maeva tallied 53 assists and added three service aces. Brianna Holladay was crucial in the match for Virginia Tech, recording 13 kills while posting a .455 hitting percentage to go with nine blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia Tech jumped out to an early lead in the first set and maintained control throughout. The Orange pulled within 23-22 late with a kill from Waller and solo block from Lea'ea on back-to-back points, but the Hokies closed out the set 25-22. Syracuse hit just .122 in the opening frame with 11 kills.
It appeared as if the Hokies were on their way to steal the second set, as the Orange trailed, 23-21. Syracuse rallied and capitalized off of a couple of Virginia Tech errors. Waller delivered the clinching kill to even the match at 1-1.
A quick run from the Hokies put the Orange into a hole in the early stages of set three, as Virginia Tech used a six-point run to go up 8-2. The Orange continued to chip away, though, pulling within 19-15 after a five-point serving run by George. Syracuse closed to 20-17 but could not complete the comeback, falling 25-20. The Orange hit .150 with 16 kills in the set.
Neither team could pull ahead in the fourth set which featured 18 ties and nine lead changes. Lea'ea and Waller continued to get more involved in the offense to keep the Orange within striking distance. The Orange tied it at 24-24 and again at 25-25, but the Hokies scored the final two points to win 27-25. Syracuse posted its best hitting percentage of the match at .333 with 17 kills in the set.
NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS
• Gabby McLaughlin posted her 16th double-double of the season with 19 kills and 11 digs. She also hit .161.
• Soana Lea'ea recorded a season-high 14 kills on .429 hitting, her best attacking performance of the year.
• Sydnie Waller tied her season high with 15 kills and hit .393.
• Tehya Maeva distributed 53 assists and added three service aces and eight digs.
• Emma Ortiz led the defense with 12 digs.
• Rana Yamada contributed 19 digs.
• Syracuse hit .187 as a team with 59 kills.
• The Orange recorded five service aces.
• The fourth set featured 18 ties, the most of any set in the match.
For the latest news on the Syracuse volleyball program, follow CuseVB on Facebook, @CuseVB on Instagram, and @CuseVB on X/Twitter.
Team Stats
VT
SU
Kills
56
59
Errors
17
28
Attempts
148
166
Hitting %
.264
.187
Points
75.0
69.0
Assists
54
55
Aces
6
5
Blocks
13
5
Game Leaders
Kills
19
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ VolleyballRS
/ Volleyball
DS/L
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