Syracuse Opens ACC Play In The Carrier Dome

WEEKEND PREVIEW: FLORIDA STATE & MIAMI
Game Details	Saturday, Sept. 28 - vs. Florida State - 12 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 - vs. Miami - 1 p.m.
Television	Orange All Access \| Time Warner Cable Sports Channel
Game Coverage	Twitter: @Cuse, @CuseVolleyball
#SUVB Links	Match Notes \| Roster \| Schedule \| Live Stats \| Season Statistics \| Media Guide
Opponent Links	Florida State: Roster \| Schedule \| Stats \| Match Notes \| @FSU_Volleyball Miami: Roster \| Schedule \| Stats \| Match Notes \| @CanesVB

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – This weekend marks Syracuse's first conference matches as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) when the Orange host nationally ranked No. 17 Florida State and Miami on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28 and 29 in the Carrier Dome.

HOME TO THE DOME:
After playing a pair of matches in the Dome for the first time in program history last season, the Orange are set to host six matches in the venue this year. The ACC opening weekend will give SU a chance to get acquainted with the Dome as Syracuse will host both of its weekend opponents there. All-time SU is 1-1 at the Carrier Dome.

*Admission to both matches is free of charge and fans can enter through Gates A, B or C. Parking is also free and will be available in the lots near the Dome.

LAST WEEK:
The Orange completed their non-conference schedule last weekend with a 1-2 record at the Purdue Active Ankle Challenge. SU opened the tournament with a sweep at the hands of the host No. 21 Boilermakers. On the second day of play, Syracuse split a pair of five-setters with FIU and Northern Kentucky.

Freshman setter Erica Handley picked up her first career all-tournament nod, averaging 9.1 assists and 1.31 digs per set. She passed out a career-high 56 assists in Syracuse's five-set loss to Northern Kentucky, which highest output by an Orange woman since Laura Homann racked up 62 against DePaul on Oct. 24, 2010. Nicolette Serratore also provided a strong presence on the court with a pair of double-doubles.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION:
Florida State: The Seminoles record of 7-4 might look deceiving. Three of the Florida State's losses are to teams currently ranked in the top-25, while three wins were against top-25 competition. Ashley Neff leads the defense with 1.41 blocks per set, which is 13th nationally, and also ranks third in the conference with a .368 hitting percentage. Leading the attack is Nicole Walch with 3.73 kills per set and Katie Mosher's 4.22 digs per set it ninth-best in the ACC.

Miami: The Hurricanes compiled a 2-1 record last weekend at the Nike Invitational and have won five of their last seven matches. At the tournament, Miami notched their best win of the season over Oklahoma in straight sets. Savanah Leaf has been one of the best players in the ACC so far, ranking fourth in kills per set (3.89) and aces per set (0.39). On the defensive side, Ryan Shaffer is tops in the ACC and 33rd nationally with 4.97 digs per set.

BUILDING BLOCKS:
Lindsay McCabe's 45 total blocks and 40 block assists in 2013 has propelled her into the program's top-10 all-time list for both categories. She currently sits ninth all-time with 336 career blocks and 286 career block assists.

SERIES HISTORY:
Syracuse and Florida State have met just once on the court. The only meeting took place in Hempstead, N.Y. as part of the Hofstra Tournament in 1992. The Seminoles swept the Orange in straight sets.

Syracuse and Miami have met twice, back in 2002 and 2003 when both teams were stationed in the BIG EAST. In their first meeting as conference foes, the Hurricanes swept the Orange in straight sets down in Miami. The following year, the Hurricanes made their only other visit to Syracuse, escaping with a five-set victory.

UP NEXT:
The Orange stay home for one more weekend before making their first ACC road trip. SU will host No. 14 North Carolina on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. and NC State on Sunday, Oct. 6 at a 1 p.m. Both matches will be played in the Women's Building.

Syracuse University Athletics

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