Syracuse University
West Virginia University
Orange Opens BIG EAST Play
9/25/2009 10:18:15 PM | Volleyball
Weekly Release
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse volleyball team opens its BIG EAST schedule over the weekend, visting West Virginia on Saturday, September 26 at 2 p.m. before facing off against Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 27 at 2 p.m. The Orange is 10-4 heading into the weekend.
Last Time Out: vs. Cornell
The Orange returned to Manley Field House for the first time in September and made quick work of Cornell, completing a 3-0 sweep in just over an hour, to stay undefeated at home. SU was unstoppable in all facets of the game, holding a .294-.043 edge in hitting percentage and a 14-2 advantage in blocks.
Junior Hayley Todd transitioned from middle blocker to outside hitter for the match, leading the team with 10 kills. Sophomore Noemie Lefebvre ranked second with eight kills while middle blocker Sarah Morton added seven. Rookie Laura Homann took command of the Syracuse attack for the majority of the match, dishing out a match-high 31 assists while sophomore Hallie Morse added five helpers.
Morton, the national leader in total blocks, lived up to her billing defensively posting 10 total blocks, including eight solo to tie a career-best. Todd added a pair of stops at the net while senior libero Shanetha McLaurin led the back row with a match-best 13 digs.
Orange on the Net
Follow the Orange at both West Virginia and Pittsburgh via livestats. The West Virginia match will also be available via live video.
Syracuse-West Virginia Series
The Mountaineers lead the all-time series with the Orange, 13-10, though Syracuse has won the last six meetings between the two teams. The two teams first met in 1985 and most recently faced off on Nov. 16, 2009 in Syracuse, N.Y. where SU cruised to a 3-0 victory.
Scouting the Mountaineers
The Mountaineers are 10-5 heading into Saturday's match, having already surpassed their win total of a year ago. Junior Lauren Evans leads WVU offensively while setter Kari Post has fueled the attack with 506 assists on the season. Defensively junior libero Bonnie West's 236 digs leads the team while Evans' 52 total blocks are a team-best mark.
Syracuse-Pittsburgh
The Panthers leads Syracuse 28-8 in the all-time series which dates back to 1982 despite the fact the Pitt has not defeated the Orange since 2005. The two teams last met on Nov. 14, 2008 in Syracuse, N.Y. where the Orange defeated its guests, 3-1.
Scouting the Panthers
Pitt enters the week with a 7-6 record and will open BIG EAST play with Marquette on Saturday before hosting the Orange on Sunday. Three-time All-BIG EAST preseason selection Meagan Dooley is the veteran leader for Pittsburgh, pacing the team defensively with 66 total blocks while ranking second in the BIG EAST with a .354 hitting percentage. Junior Amy Town leads the Panthers at the net offensively with 194 kills on the season while setter Allyson Hodnik has dished out 473 assists.
