Orange to Begin ACC Play with Road Trip to Notre Dame & Louisville

The Syracuse University volleyball team (8-2, 0-0 ACC) begins ACC Conference play with a road trip to the Midwest this week. After finishing their non-conference schedule with an 8-2 record, the Orange will face Notre Dame (3-5, 0-0 ACC) on Friday, September 26 at 6:30 PM, followed by No. 6 Louisville (8-2, 0-0 ACC) on Sunday, September 28 at 1:00 PM.

STRONG NON-CONFERENCE FINISH

Syracuse closed out their pre-conference slate with victories in the Syracuse Invitational, sweeping Siena 3-0 before rallying for a 3-2 comeback victory over St. John's.
The comeback win over St. John's saw the Orange overcome a 2-1 deficit to win 20-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-13, 15-10.
The Orange's 8-2 non-conference record sets a strong foundation heading into ACC play.
Syracuse averaged nearly 14 kills per set with a .266 hitting percentage while holding opponents to a .156 hitting percentage, the fifth-best mark in the ACC during non-conference play.

CAPTAINS LEADING THE WAY

Gabriella McLaughlin leads all Syracuse players with 145 kills through 10 matches.
McLaughlin was named MVP in both the UAlbany Invitational and Salt City Classic.
The Temecula, California native has recorded seven double-doubles this season and ranks fourth in the ACC with 160 points through non-conference play.
Tehya Maeva paces the team with 334 assists and was named Tournament MVP of the Syracuse Invitational this past weekend.
Maeva has established herself as the floor general for the Orange offense.

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

Skylar George has emerged as a reliable offensive option with 95 kills and a .251 hitting percentage.
George ranks 10th in the ACC with 112 points.
Rana Yamada leads the team with 132 digs and 14 aces.
The junior transfer Yamada has established herself as the starting libero.
Soana Lea'ea has recorded at least one block in each match this season, totaling 69 kills and 28 blocks through 37 sets.

DEFENSIVE FOUNDATION

The Orange defense has been consistent, holding opponents to a .156 hitting percentage (fifth in the ACC).
Syracuse is averaging 14.76 digs per set.
Syracuse has held opponents under .200 in seven of their 10 matches, including four occasions under .100.

SCOUTING NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame enters with a 3-5 record through non-conference play.
The Fighitng Irish are led by Morgan Gaerte with 140 kills at 4.67 kills per set.
Notre Dame deploys two setters at times in Maya Baker and Harmony Sample, with both sitting at over 100 assists on the year.
Lucy Trump has contributed 12 aces this season.
The Fighting Irish have posted a .197 hitting percentage as a team.
Syracuse defeated Notre Dame last season with a reverse sweep at the Women's Building.
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 9-30.

SCOUTING LOUISVILLE

No. 6 Louisville brings an 8-2 record and impressive credentials as the 2024 National Runner-Up.
The Cardinals have reached the Elite Eight or better in four consecutive seasons.
Battle-tested, having taken No. 2 Texas and No. 3 Kentucky to five sets.
Louisville's defense ranks first in the ACC with 3.2 blocks per set while holding opponents to a .157 hitting percentage.
Payton Petersen leads the Cardinals with 128 kills.
Cara Cresse has recorded 54.0 blocks (third in the ACC).
Three players for Louisville were named to the All-ACC Preseason Team: Nayelis Cabello, Chloe Chicoine along with Cresse.
Syracuse trails the all-time series with Louisville 4-29.

GAME INFORMATION:

Notre Dame: Friday, September 26, 6:30 PM - ACCNx
- Stats
- Watch
- Notre Dame Links: Roster | Schedule
Louisville: Sunday, September 28, 1:00 PM - ACCNx
- Stats
- Watch
- Louisville Links: Roster | Schedule