Sunday, October 27
Syracuse, NY
1 p.m.
Syracuse University
vs
Virginia Tech
Syracuse Closes Out Homestand Sunday Against Virginia Tech
10/26/2024 12:00:00 PM | Volleyball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse University volleyball team (12-8, 0-8 ACC) concludes its four-match homestand Sunday afternoon, as the Orange welcome Virginia Tech (7-12, 1-8 ACC) to the Women's Building.
The contest will wrap up Syracuse's longest home stretch of the season and is slated for a 1 p.m. start on ACCNX.
Hot Start
The Orange completed non-conference play undefeated (12-0) for the first time since the 2010 season.
Syracuse finished as one of the final seven unbeaten teams in the country after its 12-0 start to the campaign.
The Orange went 3-0 at the Salt City Classic, Big Apple Tournament, Siena Saints Invitational and Syracuse Invitational to secure its perfect non-conference resume.
Syracuse earned its first victory over a power-four opponent this season on Sept. 21, as the Orange topped Iowa State in a thrilling five setter.
Air Ava
Graduate transfer Ava Palm has been the focal point of Syracuse's offense this season.
Palm leads the Orange and is No. 6 in the ACC this season with 239 kills. She has racked up double-digit kills in 15 of Syracuse's 21 contests and has been the team's leader in kills on 13 occasions this season.
On Wednesday night against Virginia, Palm became the first Syracuse hitter this season to reach 20 kills, as she hit the number exactly to lead the team.
In addition to her dynamic hitting, Palm has also stuffed the stat sheet defensively, as her 158 digs lead the Orange.
Palm has recorded four double-doubles this season, including three in ACC play. She added 13 digs to go along with her 20 kills Wednesday night against the Cavaliers. The outside hitter also leads the Orange in aces (23) and is third on the team with 41 blocks.
Block Party
The Syracuse front line has been a force so far this season, as the Orange currently rank No. 7 in the ACC in blocks per set (2.44).
Syracuse put down a season-best 17 blocks against California on Oct. 12, the team's most in a match since registering 18 against Hartford on Sept. 4, 2021.
Anastasiia Nikolnikova is pacing the Orange with 67 blocks on the season, with Sydney Moore close behind at 64.
Nikolnikova's 1.34 blocks per set are the fifth most in the ACC.
Setting the Scene
Veronica Sierzant and Mira Ledemueller have been a steady tandem at setter for the Orange this season.
Sierzant recorded her third double-double in conference play this season on Wednesday against Virginia with team highs in assists (24) and digs (14). She recently set new career highs in assists (48) and digs (20) against California on Oct. 12, both of which were also highs for the team this season. It was her first time surpassing 40 assists in a match and the most assists by a Syracuse player in a match since Elena Karakasi notched 58 against Florida State on Oct. 31, 2024.
Sierzant has the team lead in assists this season with 342. She is currently on a streak of four consecutive matches with 20+ assists, tied for her longest of the season.
Ledermueller got the start for 'Cuse on Wednesday against Virginia. The sophomore racked up 21 assists and seven digs in her first ACC start of the season.
Sky Money
Skylar George has created a dynamic duo with fellow outside Ava Palm so far this season. George has registered three double-doubles on the campaign, with the most recent coming against Iowa State on Sept. 21. All three have been achieved with double-digit kills and digs.
The redshirt freshman came one dig away from another double-double against Duke in 'Cuse's opening weekend of ACC play, as she finished the contest with 12 kills and nine digs. George has reached double-digit digs five times this season, and her 129 digs are the second most on the team.
The outside hitter is currently second on the team in kills (150) and her 2.05 kills per set trail only Palm for the most on the Orange.
George's serve has also been a weapon this season, as her 22 aces are the second most on the team.
Sweet Annie
In her 18 appearances this season, Anastasiia Nikolnikova has made an impact both offensively and defensively.
Nikolnikova is currently ranked No. 2 in the ACC and No. 22 in the country in hitting percentage (.405).
The junior has hit at least .400 in nine contests this season. She hit over .500 in both of Syracuse's opening weekend ACC matches against North Carolina and Duke.
Nikolnikova is also leading the Orange in blocks per set (1.34) and blocks (67). She ranks No. 5 in the ACC and No. 30 in the NCAA in blocks per set.
We Want Moore
Sydney Moore's 64 blocks are the second most on the Orange this season. Moore is one of just two 'Cuse players averaging over a block per set, along with Anastasiia Nikolnikova.
Moore tied her career high with nine blocks against California on Oct. 12. The California native led the way in what was a 17-block effort for the Orange against the Golden Bears.
In addition to her defensive presence in 'Cuse's front row, Moore has also been a steady contributor to the Orange offense this season and is one of the most efficient hitters in the ACC. Moore's 94 kills are the third most on the team. Moore has hit at least .500 in six matches this season and has hit .700 or better on two occasions.
The graduate student earned All-Tournament honors at three events this season - The Salt City Classic, Siena Saints Invitational and Syracuse Invitational.
Efficient Offense
For the first time since the 2021 season and the first time under head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam, Syracuse hit over .300 as a team in four consecutive matches earlier this year, a stretch that started with the team's season opener against NJIT on Aug. 30 and extended through 'Cuse's match against Columbia on Sept. 6.
'Cuse opened the season by hitting .320 with 35 kills in its win against NJIT. The Orange followed that by hitting .330 later that evening in a win over Lafayette.
Against Canisius on Aug. 31, Syracuse hit .376, its best in a match as a team since hitting .398 against South Alabama on Sept. 19, 2021.
Syracuse matched its season high with 57 kills against California. The Orange hit .471 in the second set against the Golden Bears, their best in an ACC set this season and best in any set since hitting .517 in the second against Canisius on Aug. 31.
Coming Up Aces
The serve has been a crucial part of Syracuse's success this season, as the Orange lead the ACC in aces.
After hitting eight aces against Virginia on Wednesday night, Syracuse is back on top of the ACC leaderboard with 128 on the season. 'Cuse's 1.74 aces per set are also tied for fourth in the conference.
Ava Palm has a team-high 23 aces on the season. Fellow outside hitter Skylar George trails her with 22 aces.
Anastasiia Nikolnikova and Sara Wasiakowska are tied for the third most aces on the team with 14 apiece.
Scouting Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech comes to Syracuse with a 7-12 overall record and a 1-8 ACC record. The Hokies were defeated in straight sets by Boston College on Friday night.
The Hokies are ninth in the ACC for blocks per set (2.36). Virginia Tech records 1.66 service aces per set, which ranks No. 7 in the ACC.
Hailey Pearce is pacing the Hokies with 198 kills on the season. She is followed by Belle Patrick, who has 186. Viktoria Wahlgren is seventh in the ACC for assists per set (8.19) and has 557 total. Wahlgren also finds herself in pole position on the Hokies for service aces with 17.
Jordan Hallman (78) and Jasmine Robinson (66) lead the Hokies in blocks this season. Leandra Manguel-Duran's 214 digs this season pace Virginia Tech. Wahlgren also has surpassed 100 digs on the season.
Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech | VT leads, 9-8 | Last Meeting: L 0-3, Oct. 6, 2023
Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech Briefing
Match Details: Oct. 27, 2024 | Syracuse, N.Y. | Women's Building | 1 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @CuseVB
Instagram: @cusevb
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Virginia Tech Links: Roster | Schedule
Up Next
Syracuse kicks off November on the road to Raleigh, N.C. as the Orange match up against NC State. The match will air on ACCNX on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.
For the latest news on the Syracuse volleyball program, follow /CuseVB on Facebook, @CuseVB on Instagram, and @CuseVB on X/Twitter.
The contest will wrap up Syracuse's longest home stretch of the season and is slated for a 1 p.m. start on ACCNX.
Hot Start
The Orange completed non-conference play undefeated (12-0) for the first time since the 2010 season.
Syracuse finished as one of the final seven unbeaten teams in the country after its 12-0 start to the campaign.
The Orange went 3-0 at the Salt City Classic, Big Apple Tournament, Siena Saints Invitational and Syracuse Invitational to secure its perfect non-conference resume.
Syracuse earned its first victory over a power-four opponent this season on Sept. 21, as the Orange topped Iowa State in a thrilling five setter.
Air Ava
Graduate transfer Ava Palm has been the focal point of Syracuse's offense this season.
Palm leads the Orange and is No. 6 in the ACC this season with 239 kills. She has racked up double-digit kills in 15 of Syracuse's 21 contests and has been the team's leader in kills on 13 occasions this season.
On Wednesday night against Virginia, Palm became the first Syracuse hitter this season to reach 20 kills, as she hit the number exactly to lead the team.
In addition to her dynamic hitting, Palm has also stuffed the stat sheet defensively, as her 158 digs lead the Orange.
Palm has recorded four double-doubles this season, including three in ACC play. She added 13 digs to go along with her 20 kills Wednesday night against the Cavaliers. The outside hitter also leads the Orange in aces (23) and is third on the team with 41 blocks.
Block Party
The Syracuse front line has been a force so far this season, as the Orange currently rank No. 7 in the ACC in blocks per set (2.44).
Syracuse put down a season-best 17 blocks against California on Oct. 12, the team's most in a match since registering 18 against Hartford on Sept. 4, 2021.
Anastasiia Nikolnikova is pacing the Orange with 67 blocks on the season, with Sydney Moore close behind at 64.
Nikolnikova's 1.34 blocks per set are the fifth most in the ACC.
Setting the Scene
Veronica Sierzant and Mira Ledemueller have been a steady tandem at setter for the Orange this season.
Sierzant recorded her third double-double in conference play this season on Wednesday against Virginia with team highs in assists (24) and digs (14). She recently set new career highs in assists (48) and digs (20) against California on Oct. 12, both of which were also highs for the team this season. It was her first time surpassing 40 assists in a match and the most assists by a Syracuse player in a match since Elena Karakasi notched 58 against Florida State on Oct. 31, 2024.
Sierzant has the team lead in assists this season with 342. She is currently on a streak of four consecutive matches with 20+ assists, tied for her longest of the season.
Ledermueller got the start for 'Cuse on Wednesday against Virginia. The sophomore racked up 21 assists and seven digs in her first ACC start of the season.
Sky Money
Skylar George has created a dynamic duo with fellow outside Ava Palm so far this season. George has registered three double-doubles on the campaign, with the most recent coming against Iowa State on Sept. 21. All three have been achieved with double-digit kills and digs.
The redshirt freshman came one dig away from another double-double against Duke in 'Cuse's opening weekend of ACC play, as she finished the contest with 12 kills and nine digs. George has reached double-digit digs five times this season, and her 129 digs are the second most on the team.
The outside hitter is currently second on the team in kills (150) and her 2.05 kills per set trail only Palm for the most on the Orange.
George's serve has also been a weapon this season, as her 22 aces are the second most on the team.
Sweet Annie
In her 18 appearances this season, Anastasiia Nikolnikova has made an impact both offensively and defensively.
Nikolnikova is currently ranked No. 2 in the ACC and No. 22 in the country in hitting percentage (.405).
The junior has hit at least .400 in nine contests this season. She hit over .500 in both of Syracuse's opening weekend ACC matches against North Carolina and Duke.
Nikolnikova is also leading the Orange in blocks per set (1.34) and blocks (67). She ranks No. 5 in the ACC and No. 30 in the NCAA in blocks per set.
We Want Moore
Sydney Moore's 64 blocks are the second most on the Orange this season. Moore is one of just two 'Cuse players averaging over a block per set, along with Anastasiia Nikolnikova.
Moore tied her career high with nine blocks against California on Oct. 12. The California native led the way in what was a 17-block effort for the Orange against the Golden Bears.
In addition to her defensive presence in 'Cuse's front row, Moore has also been a steady contributor to the Orange offense this season and is one of the most efficient hitters in the ACC. Moore's 94 kills are the third most on the team. Moore has hit at least .500 in six matches this season and has hit .700 or better on two occasions.
The graduate student earned All-Tournament honors at three events this season - The Salt City Classic, Siena Saints Invitational and Syracuse Invitational.
Efficient Offense
For the first time since the 2021 season and the first time under head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam, Syracuse hit over .300 as a team in four consecutive matches earlier this year, a stretch that started with the team's season opener against NJIT on Aug. 30 and extended through 'Cuse's match against Columbia on Sept. 6.
'Cuse opened the season by hitting .320 with 35 kills in its win against NJIT. The Orange followed that by hitting .330 later that evening in a win over Lafayette.
Against Canisius on Aug. 31, Syracuse hit .376, its best in a match as a team since hitting .398 against South Alabama on Sept. 19, 2021.
Syracuse matched its season high with 57 kills against California. The Orange hit .471 in the second set against the Golden Bears, their best in an ACC set this season and best in any set since hitting .517 in the second against Canisius on Aug. 31.
Coming Up Aces
The serve has been a crucial part of Syracuse's success this season, as the Orange lead the ACC in aces.
After hitting eight aces against Virginia on Wednesday night, Syracuse is back on top of the ACC leaderboard with 128 on the season. 'Cuse's 1.74 aces per set are also tied for fourth in the conference.
Ava Palm has a team-high 23 aces on the season. Fellow outside hitter Skylar George trails her with 22 aces.
Anastasiia Nikolnikova and Sara Wasiakowska are tied for the third most aces on the team with 14 apiece.
Scouting Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech comes to Syracuse with a 7-12 overall record and a 1-8 ACC record. The Hokies were defeated in straight sets by Boston College on Friday night.
The Hokies are ninth in the ACC for blocks per set (2.36). Virginia Tech records 1.66 service aces per set, which ranks No. 7 in the ACC.
Hailey Pearce is pacing the Hokies with 198 kills on the season. She is followed by Belle Patrick, who has 186. Viktoria Wahlgren is seventh in the ACC for assists per set (8.19) and has 557 total. Wahlgren also finds herself in pole position on the Hokies for service aces with 17.
Jordan Hallman (78) and Jasmine Robinson (66) lead the Hokies in blocks this season. Leandra Manguel-Duran's 214 digs this season pace Virginia Tech. Wahlgren also has surpassed 100 digs on the season.
Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech | VT leads, 9-8 | Last Meeting: L 0-3, Oct. 6, 2023
Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech Briefing
Match Details: Oct. 27, 2024 | Syracuse, N.Y. | Women's Building | 1 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @CuseVB
Instagram: @cusevb
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Virginia Tech Links: Roster | Schedule
Up Next
Syracuse kicks off November on the road to Raleigh, N.C. as the Orange match up against NC State. The match will air on ACCNX on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.
For the latest news on the Syracuse volleyball program, follow /CuseVB on Facebook, @CuseVB on Instagram, and @CuseVB on X/Twitter.
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