Syracuse Volleyball Heads to Virginia for Pair of ACC Road Tests

The Syracuse University volleyball program (9-3, 1-1 ACC) continues its conference schedule this weekend with a pair of road matches in Virginia. The Orange will face Virginia Tech (8-5, 0-2 ACC) on Friday evening before traveling to Charlottesville for a Sunday afternoon clash with Virginia (7-5, 0-2 ACC). Syracuse enters the weekend coming off a split in its ACC opening weekend, securing a 3-1 victory over Notre Dame before falling 0-3 to sixth-ranked Louisville.

CONTINUING THE ACCTION

The Orange opened conference play with a split this past weekend, earning a convincing 3-1 win over Notre Dame before falling on the road to No. 6 Louisville.
At 1-1 in the ACC, the Orange will look to climb the standings this weekend with matches against Virginia Tech on Friday evening and the University of Virginia on Sunday afternoon.

NEW NAMES, BIG IMPACTS

Head Coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam and his staff brought in 10 new student-athletes to round out the 2025 roster, including seven with collegiate volleyball experience.
Newcomers lead the Orange in nearly every statistical category with Gabby McLaughlin leading all Syracuse players in kills (166), Tehya Maeva pacing the team in assists (384), and Rana Yamada leading the way in aces (14) and digs (154).

SKY MONEY ON THE ACC STAGE

Skylar George put the conference on notice with her performance against Notre Dame, posting her second double-double of the year with 15 kills and a career-high 21 digs.
She was a force at the net too, posting four blocks, including a solo block to clinch the third set and give the Orange a 2-1 lead.
Through 35 sets, George has posted 115 kills on .214 hitting percentage.

GABBY GETS IT DONE

Gabby McLaughlin leads the Orange in kills with 166 through 12 matches and has been named the MVP in both the UAlbany Invitational and Salt City Classic.
The California native recorded eight double-doubles this season, including four consecutive to start her Syracuse career.
Through 44 sets, McLaughlin leads all Syracuse players with 185 points, also the seventh most in the ACC.

OH CAPTAINS, MY CAPTAINS

A pair of transfers from the University of Nevada serve as the 2025 captains, with setter Tehya Maeva and outside hitter Gabriella McLaughlin earning the distinction.
McLaughlin leads the team in kills with 166 while Maeva leads the way in assists with 384, averaging 9.14 assists per set, ranking among the ACC's leading setters.
This past weekend, Maeva racked up 50 assists while McLaughlin tallied 21 kills - both team highs.

SO GREAT, SOANA

Soana Lea'ea continues to dominate at the net for Syracuse, recording at least one block in each match this season.
The Las Vegas native was incredibly efficient in the 3-0 sweep of Canisius, posting an .833 hitting percentage for five kills on six attempts.
Through 44 sets at the middle blocker position, Lea'ea has racked up 75 kills and 33 blocks.

THE REMARKABLE RANA

Rana Yamada has anchored the defense as the team's starting libero, leading the way with 154 digs.
She posted a single-match career high when she recorded 23 digs in the reverse sweep over Cornell.
Yamada has been a threat from the service line, leading the team with 14 aces on the year, and has also recorded 45 assists as the libero.

NOT IN OUR HOUSE

The Syracuse defense has been stingy, holding opponents to a .163 hitting percentage, ranking fourth in the ACC.
The Orange have held opponents to a hitting percentage under .200 in eight of their 12 matches, including under .100 on four occasions.
The defense averages 15.25 digs per set, good for the fourth best mark in the ACC.

SCOUTING VIRGINIA TECH

Syracuse leads the all-time series 10-9 and took both matches against the Hokies last season, earning a five-set win at home before winning in four sets on the road.
Virginia Tech is 8-5 overall with an 0-2 record in ACC play and has held opponents to a .189 hitting percentage this season.
Payton Woods leads the Hokies in kills with 129 this season.
The offense runs through Camilla Brandalise as she has 249 assists through 44 sets and leads the team with 18 aces.

SCOUTING VIRGINIA

The Orange lead the all-time series 11-5 and have won nine of the last 11 matches, though the Cavaliers narrowly won the previous matchup last season, 3-2.
The Cavaliers are 7-5 this season and 0-2 to start conference play, with opponents hitting .203 against them.
Virginia spreads the ball around on offense, with four different players having over 60 kills.
Lauryn Bowie is the team's kill leader with 94, while the Cavaliers deploy multiple setters in Zoey Dood and Hannah Scott, each with over 185 assists.

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