Syracuse Volleyball Digs Deep for Sweep of UAlbany
By Ryan Croke | @ryancroke_
ALBANY, N.Y. – One can argue that there is no such thing as a “close sweep,” but Syracuse volleyball (4-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) was forced to showcase its resilience in a sweep of UAlbany (2-2, 0-0 America East Conference) to remain undefeated on the season.
The Orange had little trouble winning the first two sets of this clash of in-state foes—SU won set one 25-17 and set two 25-12—but the third pushed the Orange to the brink.
UAlbany took a 19-17 lead over the ’Cuse thanks to a 4-0 run out of a timeout. It was the most points the Great Danes had tallied all night, and it seemed as if the Orange had grown complacent after taking a commanding two-set lead.
But SU would not be denied. The Orange captured seven of the next 10 points, taking a 24-22 lead and putting the Great Danes on their last legs. UAlbany would strike back to take a 25-24 lead, but SU swept the rug out from underneath the hosts of the UAlbany Invitational, capturing the final three points of the night to win a match-sealing third set 27-25.
The Orange were once again led by team captain Gabby McLaughlin. SU’s top outside hitter notched her fourth double-double in as many games, recording 13 kills and 14 digs. McLaughlin got help from fellow outside hitter Skylar George, who tallied a season-high 12 kills and finished one dig shy of a double-double herself. UAlbany had no answer for SU’s top talents on the outside, as McLaughlin (14.5) and George (12) were the only players on either side to finish with double-digit points.
Setter Tehya Maeva, who, like McLaughlin, is a team captain and Nevada transfer, recorded 37 assists tonight. That’s a new season-high for the junior and her third consecutive 30-assist night. Maeva and McLaughlin continue to shine as top offseason acquisitions for head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam and his staff, as the former Wolfpack teammates have fit seamlessly into SU’s system.
Syracuse meets Canisius (1-2, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) for game two of its UAlbany Invitational slate at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow. The Orange swept the Golden Griffins in last year’s matchup, which took place in the Salt City Classic.
For live updates on that contest, follow @ryancroke_ and @CitrusTVSports on X/Twitter.
