Syracuse Set for NIVC First Round Against Albany

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse women's volleyball team begins postseason play in the National Invitational Volleyball Tournament (NIVC) on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 4:30 p.m. against Albany at Colgate. The winner of Thursday's matchup will face the winner of Towson and Colgate in the second round on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:00 p.m.

All matches will be aired on the Patriot League Network. Links for the live video and stats can be found on cuse.com.

Block Party
Syracuse has out-blocked its opponent in 30 of 33 matches this season. The Orange produced a season-high 22 blocks in the triumph versus Notre Dame on Nov. 22. 'Cuse has blocked at least five shots in each match and averages 2.7 blocks per set.

In the victory over Notre Dame, Amber Witherspoon recorded 16 block assists for the Orange. Her block assist total was the second highest single-match mark in program history. Anastasia Regas blocked 18 shots for Syracuse at St. John's in 1998. Witherspoon's 16 total blocks also tied for the third highest single-match total in program history. Sarah Morton finished with 16 blocks at Sacremento State in 2009.

Scouting The Great Danes
Albany (11-14, 11-1 American East) received an at-large bid into the NIVC from the American East Conference. The Great Danes won the American East Conference regular season title before dropping the conference semifinal matchup to Stony Brook. Syracuse leads the all-time series over Albany, 7-3, and took the latest matchup in 2014.

Akuabata Okenwa paces the Great Danes' attack with 279 kills on the season. Kelly Cameron has a team-high 680 assists and Nicole Otero has a team-leading 409 digs.

The Other Opponents
Towson (26-5, 12-4 Colonial Athletic) earned an at-large bid into the NIVC from the Colonial Athletic Association. The Tigers finished second in the CAA behind conference champion Charleston. The Orange won the previous to meetings between the two clubs, with the last match taking place in 1998.

Jocelyn Kuilan leads Towson with 359 kills. Marrisa Wonders has a team-high 720 assists and Anna Holehouse has a team-leading 557 digs.

Colgate (18-10, 9-7 Patriot) earned an at-large bid into the NIVC out of the Patriot League. The Raiders enter the tournament after winning seven of their last eight contests. Syracuse leads the all-time series, 48-12-2, but Colgate has won the last three meetings, including a three-set victory earlier this season.

Alli Lowe leads the Raiders with 382 kills. Lauren Sanderson has a team-high 1,082 assists and Bridget Kolsky has a team-leading 345 digs.

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Syracuse Set for NIVC First Round Against Albany

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Players Mentioned

Amber Witherspoon

Syracuse University Athletics