Syracuse Volleyball Drops Fifth Straight to Colgate in First Loss of 2025
By Ryan Croke | @ryancroke_
Syracuse Volleyball (6-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) dropped its first match of the year on Friday to Colgate (3-5, 0-0 Patriot League) in what was also its fifth consecutive defeat to the Raiders.
Things looked positive early for the Orange. SU took the opening set 25-22 with relative ease, never trailing after tying the frame at 3-3. It was the first set win for the ’Cuse over Colgate since 2016 (SU took the opening set in a 3-1 defeat).
But Colgate turned it up a notch from that point onward. The Raiders faced a set point in the second frame and were staring down the barrel of a 2-0 deficit. A series of miscues by SU, including a service error by libero Ashlee Gnau and an attack error by middle blocker Soana Lea’ea, allowed Colgate to storm back and take the set 27-25.
With the match level at one set each, Colgate put its foot on the gas. Set three went to the Raiders 25-20. Set four saw a late SU rally from down 23-19 quickly put out. Colgate took the final set 25-23.
The center of SU’s struggles came from the defense. Colgate’s .287 hitting percentage is the highest allowed by Syracuse all season.
The Orange had no answers for Raiders outside hitters Frances Torres and Milan Bayless, who combined for 31 kills. Torres’s .417 hitting percentage ranked first among players with double-digit attempts. Colgate Right-side hitter Tiana Owens added a match-high 18 kills on a .368 hitting percentage.
On the Syracuse side, outside hitters Gabby McLaughlin and Skylar George impressed once again. McLaughlin’s 16 kills and 14 digs mark her fifth double-double in seven games this season. George tallied 13 kills and 9 digs on a team-high .346 hitting percentage.
SU right-side hitter Sydnie Waller and middle blocker Soana Lea’ea set new season-highs with 11 kills each. It was the first match of the season for either player with double-digits in the category.
Syracuse gets a chance at revenge tomorrow when Colgate comes to the 315. The Orange and Raiders run it back from the Women’s Building at 6 p.m.
For updates on that contest and coverage throughout the remainder of the SU volleyball campaign, follow @ryancroke_ and @CitrusTVSports on X/Twitter.
