Syracuse Volleyball pulls off first victory of the season
By Zac Ventola | @ZacVentola
Ithaca, NY – After 316 days, Syracuse volleyball (1-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) has won a match. The ‘Cuse pulled off a 3-0 sweep against Howard (0-3, 0-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). The Orange dominated the beginning of the match before a competitive second set and a back-and-forth third set.
The two programs had never played each other before, and matched up together as part of the Cornell Invitational.
SU started its season 0-2, with clean sweeps at the foot of Cincinnati and Illinois. The two losses extended Syracuse’s losing streak to 13 games, with its most recent win having been on Oct. 22, 2025 against Boston College.
The Orange won the first set of the day in convincing fashion. The ‘Cuse rolled out a different starting lineup from its first two matches of the season, throwing middle blocker Bo Nijenhuis and opposite hitter Emma Williams into the mix.
SU took a large lead early on, pulling ahead by double-digit points. However, while Syracuse was up 18-7, freshman outside hitter Aileen McAllister suffered an apparent leg injury and did not return to the match. She finished with four kills, and helped the Orange win set one by a 25-13 margin.
The second set was significantly more competitive, but SU still pulled away in a convincing manner toward the end.
The Orange and Bison found themselves splitting the set’s first 20 points. Seven of Howard’s points came via Syracuse mistakes – four attack errors, a pair of service errors and a bad set. SU, led by outside hitter Kiernan Stamey, proceeded to dominate the rest of the set. The ‘Cuse won 15 of the final 23 points to win the set 25-18.
The Bison fought back in the third set.
Howard took an early 4-1 lead, and remained ahead of Syracuse early on. SU took its first lead of the set when it went up 9-8, as the two teams continued to go on short rallies. No team led by more than four points throughout the entire set.
SU, however, ultimately pulled off the win. A service error on Howard setter Sydnei Jones wrapped up the set, 25-22, and secured a sweep for the ‘Cuse.
Syracuse hit .253 on the day, well ahead of Howard at .126. SU also finished with season-highs in digs (41), kills (34), assists (33) and aces (7).
The Orange now turn toward the possibility of winning two consecutive games for the first time since last September. Syracuse can do so on Friday at 3:00 p.m. against UAlbany (0-3, 0-0 American East Conference).
For coverage of the Orange vs. Great Danes and the entirety of Syracuse Volleyball’s season, follow @ZacVentola and @CitrusTVSports on X.
