Year One in Review: Marie Laurio’s Freshman Season
1/8/2026 11:37:00 AM | Volleyball
Marie Laurio had 20 minutes to learn how to play right side before Syracuse's five-set showdown at Boston College. The freshman outside hitter had never played the position in her career, but with her team's back against the wall, she didn't hesitate when the coaching staff called her off the bench.
10 kills, one block and an ace later, the Orange earned a crucial ACC victory with Laurio playing a key role. Head Coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam points to that match as a sign of things to come.
"I recall that match against Boston College, we literally worked with her for about 20 minutes before the match on the right side going over attack angle and blocking," Ganesharatnam said. "When she was called upon, she just jumped in and did a really great job in that match. It shows she's capable of doing great things."
The first-year provided a couple of timely kills in the fourth set to force a fifth and final frame where she would add three more kills to lift the Orange to a 15-12 win. Her final kill of the match came with the last set tied at 10-10 before giving Syracuse the lead – one it would not relinquish.
Her showing against Boston College encapsulated her ability to be a versatile threat. She finished the year with six starts, three at her native position of outside hitter and another three at right side. Laurio said she wasn't particularly worried about how the coaching staff deployed her as long as it helped the team.
"I'm just out there to do my job," Laurio said in October. "I just want to help the team as much as I can. Even if I wasn't starting, I'm still going to bring the same amount of energy and same amount of competitiveness. Whether I come in off the bench or I'm starting, however I can help the team out, I am going to bring that same energy."
Laurio displayed from the jump that she'd be a weapon for the Orange, earning the start in the season opener against Niagara and tallying four kills. She'd do the same the following night against Rider, starting and earning four kills. She went on to finish the year with 55 kills.
Laurio continued to grow as a defender as the season went on as well, finishing the year averaging 5.5 digs per appearance over her final eight appearances. She racked up a career-high 16 against Clemson. She improved at the net as well, finishing with 11 total blocks. Heading into her sophomore campaign, Ganesharatnam is excited to see what is to come for Laurio.
"As a freshman she got opportunities to play and she was able to test the waters at the outside and right side position," Ganesharatnam said. "There's a lot of room to grow, but we are very pleased with what she showed as a freshman. We're excited to see her continue to grow."
Laurio is a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan and played her club career with Legacy Volleyball, a highly touted program. Collegiate athletics runs in the family with her brother, Roman, playing wide receiver at Princeton University. Roman was the Tigers' second-leading receiver with 306 yards on 19 receptions as a junior in 2025.
10 kills, one block and an ace later, the Orange earned a crucial ACC victory with Laurio playing a key role. Head Coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam points to that match as a sign of things to come.
"I recall that match against Boston College, we literally worked with her for about 20 minutes before the match on the right side going over attack angle and blocking," Ganesharatnam said. "When she was called upon, she just jumped in and did a really great job in that match. It shows she's capable of doing great things."
The first-year provided a couple of timely kills in the fourth set to force a fifth and final frame where she would add three more kills to lift the Orange to a 15-12 win. Her final kill of the match came with the last set tied at 10-10 before giving Syracuse the lead – one it would not relinquish.
SHE'S 👏 A 👏 FRESHMAN 👏
— Syracuse Volleyball (@CuseVB) October 23, 2025
Marie Laurio is a FORCE here in set three as the Orange lead late!
📺 ACCN#LiveTheDREAM pic.twitter.com/xy2XmtwNBS
Her showing against Boston College encapsulated her ability to be a versatile threat. She finished the year with six starts, three at her native position of outside hitter and another three at right side. Laurio said she wasn't particularly worried about how the coaching staff deployed her as long as it helped the team.
"I'm just out there to do my job," Laurio said in October. "I just want to help the team as much as I can. Even if I wasn't starting, I'm still going to bring the same amount of energy and same amount of competitiveness. Whether I come in off the bench or I'm starting, however I can help the team out, I am going to bring that same energy."
Laurio displayed from the jump that she'd be a weapon for the Orange, earning the start in the season opener against Niagara and tallying four kills. She'd do the same the following night against Rider, starting and earning four kills. She went on to finish the year with 55 kills.
Allow us to formally introduce you to: Marie Laurio 🍊
— Syracuse Volleyball (@CuseVB) October 26, 2025
The rookie had it working this past week, posting 19 kills🔥 #LiveTheDREAM pic.twitter.com/1TcB7NuR2f
Laurio continued to grow as a defender as the season went on as well, finishing the year averaging 5.5 digs per appearance over her final eight appearances. She racked up a career-high 16 against Clemson. She improved at the net as well, finishing with 11 total blocks. Heading into her sophomore campaign, Ganesharatnam is excited to see what is to come for Laurio.
"As a freshman she got opportunities to play and she was able to test the waters at the outside and right side position," Ganesharatnam said. "There's a lot of room to grow, but we are very pleased with what she showed as a freshman. We're excited to see her continue to grow."
Laurio is a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan and played her club career with Legacy Volleyball, a highly touted program. Collegiate athletics runs in the family with her brother, Roman, playing wide receiver at Princeton University. Roman was the Tigers' second-leading receiver with 306 yards on 19 receptions as a junior in 2025.
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