Syracuse Volleyball Set to Hit the Road for UAlbany Invitational

After posting an unblemished 3-0 record in the Salt City Classic this past weekend, the Syracuse Volleyball program (3-0, 0-0 ACC) is set to head to Albany, New York to compete in the UAlbany Invitational. There, they'll take on a triad of in-state foes, starting with UAlbany on Thursday, followed by Canisius on Friday, and Cornell on Saturday.

This will be the Orange's first time on the road this season as they head just under 150 miles east. The matches against Canisius and Cornell will be played on a neutral site. The Orange flourished in such matches a year ago, going 5-0 in tilts without a true home team.

NOT IN OUR HOUSE

The Syracuse defense shined in the Salt City Classic, holding opponents to a .087 hitting percentage, which ranks as the third-best mark among all ACC programs after the weekend.
The Orange held opponents to just 9.8 kills per set this weekend, also good for third in the conference.
The match against Le Moyne was nothing short of a defensive masterclass, holding the Dolphins to just 17 kills with a -.049 hitting percentage.
The Orange racked up 9 blocks against Rider, with Zharia Harris-Waddy racking up seven block assists in the process.

OH CAPTAINS, MY CAPTAINS

A pair of transfers from the University of Nevada serve as the 2025 captains, with setter Tehya Maeva and outside hitter Gabriella McLaughlin earning the distinction.
The duo brings a well-rounded body of work to Syracuse, showing flashes of both offensive and defensive prowess at the Division I Level.
McLaughlin was an All-Mountain West honoree a year ago after posting a team-high 443 kills while Maeva totaled 895 assists.
The two didn't miss a beat in their debuts with the Orange, with Maeva racking up 74 assists and McLaughlin leading the team with 42 kills.
Maeva shined in the final two matches of the weekend, tallying 32 assists in each bout.
McLaughlin notched 18 kills in the win over Rider, her highest mark as a member of the Orange.

ZHARIA IN THE ZONE

After receiving praise from Head Coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam during the preseason for her development as an all-around player, Zharia Harris-Waddy proved her coach right during the Salt City Classic.
Harris-Waddy racked up 20 kills on 42 attempts while playing the middle blocker position.
Her defense was a difference maker for the Orange, totaling 11 blocks, including seven against Rider.
Her performance during opening weekend earned her a spot on the Salt City Classic All-Tournament Team.

VERSATILE VERONICA

Veronica Sierzant played a versatile role this weekend for the Orange, playing the setter position while also being a threat to attack at any moment.
Sierzant played a more traditional setter role on Friday, tallying 30 assists in two sets played.
In the Orange's match against Rider, Sierzant kept the Broncs on their heels as she assisted on 10 points while made 20 attacks for six kills.

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT

After a strong performance in the match-clinching set against Rider where she notched six kills on 11 attempts, Skylar George earned the start in the Salt City Classic finale against Le Moyne.
George made the most of her starting spot in the clash with Le Moyne, gathering nine kills on 24 attempts to go with a couple of aces on the day.
After six sets of action, George has 19 kills with a .283 hitting percentage.

THE REMARKABLE RANA

After spending the past few seasons competing at the Junior College level, Rana Yamada proved why the Syracuse coaching staff has put so much faith in her as the team's starting libero.
Yamada's debut with the Orange saw her dazzle on defense and provided a few sparks from the service line.
On top of anchoring the defense with 32 digs this past weekend, Yamada led the team in service aces with six.

SO GREAT, SOANA

Soana Lea'ea made her debut with the Orange this past weekend, notching 20 kills and six blocks.
She was a dual-threat at the middle blocker position, cleaning up a number of free balls during the Salt City Classic in addition to her six blocks.
Lea'ea was named to the Salt City Classic All-Tournament Team.

ROOKIE DEBUTS

A pair of rookies saw time on the court during the Salt City Classic, with Marie Laurio and Elizabeth Turner making their collegiate debuts.
Laurio racked up eight kills over five sets and also added an ace over the weekend.
Turner was close behind, totaling seven kills in her debut weekend.

FIRST-CLASS SERVICE

The serve was a crucial part of Syracuse's success during the 2024 season and the Orange picked up right where it left off this past weekend.
The Orange posted 24 aces over its 10 sets last weekend, seeing them place fourth in the ACC in aces per set heading into the week.
The Orange posted 10 aces against Le Moyne, with six different members of the team recording at least one in the box score.
Rana Yamada led the way with six aces on opening weekend.
Reese Teves rotated in as a serve specialist this past weekend and made the most of her opportunities, finding herself with five aces to start the year.

SCOUTING UALBANY

This marks the 14th all-time meeting between the Orange and the Great Danes.
Syracuse leads the all time series between the two New York programs, 9-4.
UAlbany opened the season at the Rocket Invitational in Toldeo, Ohio, finishing with a 2-1 record.
Head Coach Josh Pickard enters his seventh season at the helm of the Great Danes, holding an all time record of 70-84.
Through three matches, Kendall Harris and Shynelle Woroniuk pace the offense with 24 kills apiece.
Senior Libero Brooke Malek currently leads the team with 36 Digs.
UAlbany finished second in the American East preseason poll.

SCOUTING CANISIUS

This is the 15th all time meeting between the Orange and the Golden Griffins.
Syracuse has never lost to their Western New York counterpart, leading the all-time series 14-0.
Canisus opened up the season at the Youngstown State Invitational, finishing with a 1-2 record.
Bella Mosquera recorded 31 kills over 11 sets while posting a .371 hitting percentage.
Junior Brenda Reynaga leads the team with 51 digs.
The Golden Griffins were selected to finish 5th in the MAAC preseason poll.

SCOUTING CORNELL

This marks the 47th all-time meeting between the Orange and Big Red.
Syracuse leads the all time series 36-9-1, dating back to 1972.
The Orange have won eight consecutive matches against the Big Red, having won the most recent bout, 3-1.
The UAlbany Invitational will serve as the opening weekend for Cornell, as they'll open with UAlbany on Friday before playing a doubleheader on Saturday with Syracuse and Canisius.
Cornell was projected to finish 3rd in the Ivy League Preseason Poll.

Syracuse Volleyball Set to Hit the Road for UAlbany Invitational

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Skylar George

Zharia Harris-Waddy

Zharia Harris-Waddy

Marie Laurio

Soana Lea'ea

Tehya Maeva

Gabriella McLaughlin

Veronica Sierzant

Reese Teves

Elizabeth Turner

Rana Yamada

Rana Yamada

Syracuse University Athletics

Syracuse Volleyball Set to Hit the Road for UAlbany Invitational

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Skylar George

Zharia Harris-Waddy

Zharia Harris-Waddy

Marie Laurio

Soana Lea'ea

Tehya Maeva

Gabriella McLaughlin

Veronica Sierzant

Reese Teves

Elizabeth Turner

Rana Yamada

Rana Yamada

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