Friday, November 1
Raleigh, NC
7 p.m.
Syracuse University
at
NC State
Orange Return To North Carolina To Face NC State, Wake Forest
10/31/2024 12:08:00 PM | Volleyball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Coming off its first ACC win of the season, the Syracuse University volleyball team (13-9, 1-9 ACC) will make its second weekend trip to North Carolina for matches against NC State (11-7, 6-4 ACC) and Wake Forest (12-9, 4-6 ACC).
The Orange will take on the Wolfpack on Friday at 7 p.m. and will close the weekend against the Demon Deacons on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both contests will be streamed live on ACCNX.
Mission ACComplished
Syracuse snapped its 31-match ACC losing streak on Oct. 27 with a five-set victory against Virginia Tech at the Women's Building. The Orange won the last two sets to earn their first conference win since Nov. 6, 2022.
The Orange offense was especially efficient in the fifth set, as 13 of the team's 15 points came via kills. 'Cuse hit at a .522 clip in the final frame.
The win was the first five-set ACC triumph for the Orange since Oct. 16, 2022. It was also the team's first successful 2-1 comeback since Nov. 24, 2019. Syracuse has taken consecutive ACC opponents to five sets and has won at least two sets in three of its last five conference outings.
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 of season during its unbeaten start 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. 8 in the ACC this season with 258 kills. She has racked up double-digit kills in 16 of Syracuse's 22 contests.
Palm has been the team's leader in kills on 14 occasions this season. She became the first Syracuse player to reach 20 kills in a match this season last week against Virginia.
In addition to her dynamic hitting, Palm has also stuffed the stat sheet defensively, as her 168 digs lead the Orange. Palm has recorded five double-doubles this season, including in each of the last two matches. She delivered a season-best 20 kills with 13 digs on Oct. 23 against Virginia and put up 19 kills to go along with 10 digs against Virginia Tech.
The outside hitter also leads the Orange in aces (25).
Block Party
The Syracuse front line has been a force so far this season, as the Orange currently rank No. 8 in the ACC in blocks per set (2.42). Blocks were a key part of Syracuse's first ACC win of the season against Virginia Tech, as the Orange put down 11 against the Hokies with six coming by way of Sara Wasiakowska.
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 70 blocks on the season, with Sydney Moore just one behind at 69. Nikolnikova's 1.32 blocks per set are the fifth most in the ACC.
Double Trouble
Syracuse's two sophomore setters have complimented each other throughout the season. Mira Ledermueller has started the last two matches after Veronica Sierzant started the six prior contests.
Ledermueller eclipsed 40 assists for the second time this season against the Hokies on Sunday, as her 41 were her two short of her season-high tally.
Sierzant 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 registered her third double-double in ACC play last week against Virginia with 24 assists and a team-high 14 digs. She also reached double figures in both assists and digs in Syracuse's ACC opener against North Carolina on Sept. 27.
Sierzant (354) and Ledermueller (337) are one of six ACC setter tandems with 300 assists each this season.
Sky Money
Skylar George has created a dynamic duo with fellow outside Ava Palm so far this season. The redshirt freshman was big down the stretch in Syracuse's first ACC win against Virginia Tech last weekend, as she tallied a team-best six kills in the final set, including on the final two points.
George has registered four double-doubles on the campaign, with the most recent coming against the Hokies, her first in ACC play. She had 14 kills and 13 digs against the Hokies. All four of her double-doubles have been achieved with kills and digs.
George has reached double-digit digs six times this season, and her 155 digs are the second most on the team. The outside hitter is currently second on the team in kills (164) and her 2.10 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 19 appearances this season, Anastasiia Nikolnikova has made an impact both offensively and defensively.
Nikolnikova is currently ranked No. 2 in the ACC and No. 19 in the country in hitting percentage (.415). The junior has hit at least .400 in 10 contests this season. She hit .600 with six kills on 10 swings in Syracuse's victory last weekend against Virginia Tech.
Nikolnikova is also leading the Orange in blocks per set (1.32) and blocks (70). She ranks No. 5 in the ACC and No. 33 in the NCAA in blocks per set.
We Want Moore
Sydney Moore's 69 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 95 kills are the fourth most on the team. She 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.
Harris-Waddy Emerging
Zharia Harris-Waddy has started six of the last eight matches for Syracuse and has played an important role for the Orange in those contests.
The sophomore is coming off her best match with Syracuse, as she delivered a career-best 13 kills on 25 swings against Virginia Tech last weekend. She also added three blocks and two aces against the Hokies.
Harris-Waddy has registered five or more kills in each of the last five matches and has hit over .350 in back-to-back contests. Since ACC play began, Harris-Waddy's 49 kills are the third most on the team behind Ava Palm (103) and Skylar George (57).
Harris-Waddy's serve provided a spark for the Orange last week, as she tallied five aces and is now tied for third on the team in the category.
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 played a high-level fifth set against Virginia Tech, as the Orange hit .522 and won 13 of their 15 points via kills.
Coming Up Aces
The serve has been a crucial part of Syracuse's success this season, as the Orange currently rank No. 3 in the ACC in aces. Syracuse's 133 aces this season trail just No. 25 North Carolina (137) and No. 1 Pittsburgh (135) in the ACC. 'Cuse's 1.68 aces per set are also fifth in the conference.
Ava Palm has a team-high 25 aces on the season. Fellow outside hitter Skylar George trails her with 22 aces. Zharia Harris-Waddy, Anastasiia Nikolnikova and Sara Wasiakowska are all tied for the third most aces on the team with 14 apiece.
Scouting NC State
NC State holds an 11-7 overall record this season and is 6-4 in ACC matches. The Wolfpack is coming off a conference split last weekend, as they fell to No. 17 Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Friday before besting Clemson in straight sets on Sunday.
Amanda Rice leads a balanced NC State offense with 210 kills this season. Ava Brizard (173) and Courtney Bryant (131) are also in triple figures. Naomi Cabello and Kate Peterson split the Wolfpack's setting duties. Cabello leads the team with 381 assists while Peterson has 232.
Skye Stokes is NC State's leader in digs (236), as the graduate transfer from West Virginia ranks No. 9 in the conference with 3.81 digs per set. Three NC State players have at least 50 blocks this season - Jada Allen (67), Sophia Groom (61) and Rice (50).
The Wolfpack rank No. 3 in the ACC in aces per set (1.76) and No. 7 in both kills per set (13.05) and blocks per set (2.45).
Syracuse vs. NC State | NC State leads, 12-5 | Last meeting: L 0-3, Nov. 5, 2023
Scouting Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons enter the weekend with a 12-9 record and 4-6 mark in ACC matches. Last weekend, they beat Clemson in four on the road Friday before falling to the Yellow Jackets in four Saturday.
Paige Crawford leads the Demon Deacons with 211 kills this season and is coming off a 17-kill effort last week against Clemson. She is also fifth in the ACC with 31 aces. Rian Baker and Becca Bellows share Wake's setting responsibilities. Baker leads the Deacs with 436 assists with Bellows close behind at 359.
Wake ranks No. 5 in the ACC with 2.56 blocks per set. Dior Charles and Tina Grkovic are tied for the third most blocks in the conference this season with 95 apiece. Emma Farrell leads Wake Forest with 326 digs and ranks No. 6 in the ACC with 3.93 per set.
The Demon Deacons have been a strong defensive team this season, as they are holding their opponents to a hitting percentage of .172, the fifth best in the conference.
Syracuse vs. Wake Forest | Syracuse leads 11-2 | Last meeting: L 1-3, Oct. 8, 2023
Syracuse vs. NC State Briefing
Match Details: Nov. 1, 2024 | Raleigh, N.C. | Reynolds Coliseum | 7 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @CuseVB
Instagram: @cusevb
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
NC State Links: Roster | Schedule
Syracuse vs. Wake Forest Briefing
Match Details: Nov. 3, 2024 | Winston Salem, N.C. | Reynolds Gymnasium | 1 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @CuseVB
Instagram: @cusevb
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Wake Forest Links: Roster | Schedule
Up Next
Syracuse returns home next weekend for a pair of matches at the Women's Building. The Orange will host No. 4 Louisville on Nov. 8 and Notre Dame on Nov. 10. Both contests will be aired on ACCNX.
For the latest news on the Syracuse volleyball program, follow /CuseVB on Facebook, @CuseVB on Instagram, and @CuseVB on X/Twitter.
The Orange will take on the Wolfpack on Friday at 7 p.m. and will close the weekend against the Demon Deacons on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both contests will be streamed live on ACCNX.
Mission ACComplished
Syracuse snapped its 31-match ACC losing streak on Oct. 27 with a five-set victory against Virginia Tech at the Women's Building. The Orange won the last two sets to earn their first conference win since Nov. 6, 2022.
The Orange offense was especially efficient in the fifth set, as 13 of the team's 15 points came via kills. 'Cuse hit at a .522 clip in the final frame.
The win was the first five-set ACC triumph for the Orange since Oct. 16, 2022. It was also the team's first successful 2-1 comeback since Nov. 24, 2019. Syracuse has taken consecutive ACC opponents to five sets and has won at least two sets in three of its last five conference outings.
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 of season during its unbeaten start 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. 8 in the ACC this season with 258 kills. She has racked up double-digit kills in 16 of Syracuse's 22 contests.
Palm has been the team's leader in kills on 14 occasions this season. She became the first Syracuse player to reach 20 kills in a match this season last week against Virginia.
In addition to her dynamic hitting, Palm has also stuffed the stat sheet defensively, as her 168 digs lead the Orange. Palm has recorded five double-doubles this season, including in each of the last two matches. She delivered a season-best 20 kills with 13 digs on Oct. 23 against Virginia and put up 19 kills to go along with 10 digs against Virginia Tech.
The outside hitter also leads the Orange in aces (25).
Block Party
The Syracuse front line has been a force so far this season, as the Orange currently rank No. 8 in the ACC in blocks per set (2.42). Blocks were a key part of Syracuse's first ACC win of the season against Virginia Tech, as the Orange put down 11 against the Hokies with six coming by way of Sara Wasiakowska.
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 70 blocks on the season, with Sydney Moore just one behind at 69. Nikolnikova's 1.32 blocks per set are the fifth most in the ACC.
Double Trouble
Syracuse's two sophomore setters have complimented each other throughout the season. Mira Ledermueller has started the last two matches after Veronica Sierzant started the six prior contests.
Ledermueller eclipsed 40 assists for the second time this season against the Hokies on Sunday, as her 41 were her two short of her season-high tally.
Sierzant 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 registered her third double-double in ACC play last week against Virginia with 24 assists and a team-high 14 digs. She also reached double figures in both assists and digs in Syracuse's ACC opener against North Carolina on Sept. 27.
Sierzant (354) and Ledermueller (337) are one of six ACC setter tandems with 300 assists each this season.
Sky Money
Skylar George has created a dynamic duo with fellow outside Ava Palm so far this season. The redshirt freshman was big down the stretch in Syracuse's first ACC win against Virginia Tech last weekend, as she tallied a team-best six kills in the final set, including on the final two points.
George has registered four double-doubles on the campaign, with the most recent coming against the Hokies, her first in ACC play. She had 14 kills and 13 digs against the Hokies. All four of her double-doubles have been achieved with kills and digs.
George has reached double-digit digs six times this season, and her 155 digs are the second most on the team. The outside hitter is currently second on the team in kills (164) and her 2.10 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 19 appearances this season, Anastasiia Nikolnikova has made an impact both offensively and defensively.
Nikolnikova is currently ranked No. 2 in the ACC and No. 19 in the country in hitting percentage (.415). The junior has hit at least .400 in 10 contests this season. She hit .600 with six kills on 10 swings in Syracuse's victory last weekend against Virginia Tech.
Nikolnikova is also leading the Orange in blocks per set (1.32) and blocks (70). She ranks No. 5 in the ACC and No. 33 in the NCAA in blocks per set.
We Want Moore
Sydney Moore's 69 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 95 kills are the fourth most on the team. She 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.
Harris-Waddy Emerging
Zharia Harris-Waddy has started six of the last eight matches for Syracuse and has played an important role for the Orange in those contests.
The sophomore is coming off her best match with Syracuse, as she delivered a career-best 13 kills on 25 swings against Virginia Tech last weekend. She also added three blocks and two aces against the Hokies.
Harris-Waddy has registered five or more kills in each of the last five matches and has hit over .350 in back-to-back contests. Since ACC play began, Harris-Waddy's 49 kills are the third most on the team behind Ava Palm (103) and Skylar George (57).
Harris-Waddy's serve provided a spark for the Orange last week, as she tallied five aces and is now tied for third on the team in the category.
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 played a high-level fifth set against Virginia Tech, as the Orange hit .522 and won 13 of their 15 points via kills.
Coming Up Aces
The serve has been a crucial part of Syracuse's success this season, as the Orange currently rank No. 3 in the ACC in aces. Syracuse's 133 aces this season trail just No. 25 North Carolina (137) and No. 1 Pittsburgh (135) in the ACC. 'Cuse's 1.68 aces per set are also fifth in the conference.
Ava Palm has a team-high 25 aces on the season. Fellow outside hitter Skylar George trails her with 22 aces. Zharia Harris-Waddy, Anastasiia Nikolnikova and Sara Wasiakowska are all tied for the third most aces on the team with 14 apiece.
Scouting NC State
NC State holds an 11-7 overall record this season and is 6-4 in ACC matches. The Wolfpack is coming off a conference split last weekend, as they fell to No. 17 Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Friday before besting Clemson in straight sets on Sunday.
Amanda Rice leads a balanced NC State offense with 210 kills this season. Ava Brizard (173) and Courtney Bryant (131) are also in triple figures. Naomi Cabello and Kate Peterson split the Wolfpack's setting duties. Cabello leads the team with 381 assists while Peterson has 232.
Skye Stokes is NC State's leader in digs (236), as the graduate transfer from West Virginia ranks No. 9 in the conference with 3.81 digs per set. Three NC State players have at least 50 blocks this season - Jada Allen (67), Sophia Groom (61) and Rice (50).
The Wolfpack rank No. 3 in the ACC in aces per set (1.76) and No. 7 in both kills per set (13.05) and blocks per set (2.45).
Syracuse vs. NC State | NC State leads, 12-5 | Last meeting: L 0-3, Nov. 5, 2023
Scouting Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons enter the weekend with a 12-9 record and 4-6 mark in ACC matches. Last weekend, they beat Clemson in four on the road Friday before falling to the Yellow Jackets in four Saturday.
Paige Crawford leads the Demon Deacons with 211 kills this season and is coming off a 17-kill effort last week against Clemson. She is also fifth in the ACC with 31 aces. Rian Baker and Becca Bellows share Wake's setting responsibilities. Baker leads the Deacs with 436 assists with Bellows close behind at 359.
Wake ranks No. 5 in the ACC with 2.56 blocks per set. Dior Charles and Tina Grkovic are tied for the third most blocks in the conference this season with 95 apiece. Emma Farrell leads Wake Forest with 326 digs and ranks No. 6 in the ACC with 3.93 per set.
The Demon Deacons have been a strong defensive team this season, as they are holding their opponents to a hitting percentage of .172, the fifth best in the conference.
Syracuse vs. Wake Forest | Syracuse leads 11-2 | Last meeting: L 1-3, Oct. 8, 2023
Syracuse vs. NC State Briefing
Match Details: Nov. 1, 2024 | Raleigh, N.C. | Reynolds Coliseum | 7 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @CuseVB
Instagram: @cusevb
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
NC State Links: Roster | Schedule
Syracuse vs. Wake Forest Briefing
Match Details: Nov. 3, 2024 | Winston Salem, N.C. | Reynolds Gymnasium | 1 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @CuseVB
Instagram: @cusevb
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Wake Forest Links: Roster | Schedule
Up Next
Syracuse returns home next weekend for a pair of matches at the Women's Building. The Orange will host No. 4 Louisville on Nov. 8 and Notre Dame on Nov. 10. Both contests will be aired on ACCNX.
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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