Volleyball Set to Begin 2025 Campaign with Salt City Classic this Weekend

It's a new season for the Syracuse University Volleyball program as it gets set to kick off the 2025 campaign with the Salt City Classic. The Orange will host Niagara, Rider, and Le Moyne in the three-day round-robin.

Syracuse will open its season on Friday, Aug. 29, against Niagara at 7 p.m. before taking on Rider at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The event will conclude with the Orange and Le Moyne squaring off at 2 p.m. on Sunday. All three matches will take place at Syracuse University's Women's Building.

Oh Captains, My Captains

A pair of transfers from Nevada will serve as the 2025 captains, with setter Tehya Maeva and outside hitter Gabriella McLaughlin earning the distinction.
The duo brings a well-rounded body of work to Syracuse, showing flashes of both offensive and defensive prowess at the Division I level.
McLaughlin was an All-Mountain West honoree a year ago after posting a team-high 443 kills.
McLaughlin is approaching a career milestone, sitting at 999 kills entering the weekend.
Maeva racked up a team-high 895 assists for the Wolfpack last season, with McLaughlin putting the finishing touches on a number of those points.
Maeva got it done from the service line last season, posting a team-high 29 aces a year ago.
Maeva has eclipsed 50 assists in a single match twice in her career, the most recent being in the same Oct. 24 match against Fresno State where McLaughlin racked up her 31 kills.
The two flourish defensively as well, combining for 501 digs and 84 total blocks in 2024.

The Sky is the Limit

After a breakout redshirt freshman season, Skylar George is back and ready to build on a season that saw her record 258 kills, the most out of any returning Orange.
George had the second-most aces on the team last year at 32.
George recorded seven double doubles in 2024 with four of those coming in ACC play.
She also was named to the Salt City Classic All-Tournament Team a year ago.

Setting with Sierzant

Veronica Sierzant led the Orange in assists her sophomore season with 659 and is back for her third season with Syracuse.
Sierzant ranked inside the top-10 among ACC players in assists per set, averaging 7.49 last season.
Sierzant recorded seven double-doubles via the assist and dig during ACC play a year ago.

The Sophomore Liberos

Emma Ortiz and Ashlee Gnau will both return for their sophomore seasons after both seeing times in the libero position during their rookie year.
Together, the two liberos racked up 231 total digs, 33 assists, and 21 service aces.

Scouting Niagara

The Orange will face the Purple Eagles for the first time since 2018. Syracuse leads the all-time series 16-1 and has won three straights.
Goodyear, Arizona native, Liana Tolliver, led the Purple Eagles last year with 263 kills in 29 matches last season.
After a 15-15 season last year, Niagara is projected to finish 6^th in this season's MAAC poll.

Scouting Rider

The Orange will face the Broncos for the fourth meeting between the programs and first since 2010. Syracuse is 2-1 in the series.
Senior Kiannisha Santiago led the Broncos with 350 kills last season and was named First-Team All-MAAC for her performance.
After an impressive 15-5 record over their last 20 games, Rider is projected to finish third in this year's MAAC preseason poll.

Scouting Le Moyne

The local rivals will meet for the third time in their history this year with Syracuse winning the first two matchups.
The duo of Jordyn Hamlin and Branwyn Lupton are back after leading the Dolphins in kills last season with 180 and 179, respectively.
The Dolphins will begin their third season at the NCAA Division I level and will look to improve on a 4-22 mark from last season.

Syracuse vs Niagara
Match Details: Friday Aug. 29, 2025 | Syracuse, N.Y. | Women's building | 7 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @CuseVB
Instagram: @cusevb
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Niagara Links: Roster | Schedule

Syracuse vs. Rider
Match Details: Aug. 30, 2025 | Syracuse, N.Y.| Women's building | 5 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @CuseVB
Instagram: @cusevb
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Rider Links: Roster | Schedule

Syracuse vs. Le Moyne
Match Details: Aug. 31, 2025 | Syracuse, N.Y.| Women's building | 2 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @CuseVB
Instagram: @cusevb
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Le Moyne Links: Roster | Schedule

Up Next
The Orange will make their first road trip of the season next week when they get set to compete in the UAlbany Invitational. They'll clash with the hosts, UAlbany, before matching up with Canisius and Cornell on a neutral court.

For the latest news on the Syracuse volleyball program, follow /CuseVB on Facebook, @CuseVB on Instagram, and @CuseVB on X.