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Syracuse volleyball has been dominant to start 2024. SU (10-0, Atlantic Coast) won its 10th straight, sweeping Le Moyne (1-5, Northeast Conference) 3-0. In their first ever match against the Dolphins, the Orange made it look easy, winning in three straight sets and maintaining their perfect season.

Le Moyne recently entered Division I in the fall of 2023. Head Coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam recognized that Le Moyne’s program is similar to SU’s in that they’re both in the process of rebuilding. However, he noted that the team did not underestimate the Dolphins.

“It’s always nice to have another Division I institution that’s within our city that we can compete with,” Ganesharatnam said, “I thought our department did a good job emphasizing [the importance] of our sports teams competing with each other.”

SU started off the match dominating, winning the first set 25-18. Klara Zarnovicka initially recorded a kill halfway through the set, boosting the score to 11-7, however Le Moyne started to slowly worm its way back. After review, the play was reversed and the score changed to 10-8 with an attack error attributed to Zarnovicka. The outside hitter didn’t let this discourage her as she recorded her second kill of the set on the next play. SU continued to control the set, staying at least three points ahead of the Dolphins. The Orange secured the first set off of a service error by Le Moyne middle hitter Kayla Anstett.

The second set of the match was SU’s best, recording only two service errors, 21 attack attempts, and earned a 0.381 hitting percentage. Though, Le Moyne showed a promising start at the beginning, keeping up with Syracuse for the first three points. However, the power quickly shifted back to SU due to middle blocker Anastasiia Nikolnikova who recorded four kills and three blocks.

“I think we are doing a really good job at the net,” Ganesharatnam said. “I think our block is working very hard and it’s not easy, especially for the middle blockers. We’re emphasizing block touches, not just straight blocks. in order to slow down the offense of the opposing team in order for us to take advantage of that.”

SU went on an unanswered four point scoring run, going from extending its lead to 17-6. Sydnie Waller entered the game during this set for the first time since playing Canisius, recording two kills. Syracuse won the second set 25-11, following with a kill by Nikolnikova.

Middle blocker Zharia Harris-Waddy started the third and final set off with an excellent kill, assisted by Mira Ledermueller. The Orange didn’t stop there as they held the lead for the rest of the set. Le Moyne didn’t go down without a fight, going on a four point scoring run, cutting SU’s lead to 15-13. The Dolphins’ run forced the Orange to call a timeout. Not a minute after returning to the court, Nikolnikova secured her tenth kill of the night. Two service errors by Le Moyne gave SU the match and game point of set, ending the game 25-18.

Nikolnikova had a dominant outing, leading the team in kills (10), total blocks (seven), both season highs for her. It’s her first year at SU and already Nikolnikova proved herself to be a valuable asset for SU.

“If someone unfortunately does not have a good game, I’m gonna step in, I’m gonna help,” Nikolnikova said. “If those girls cannot work on 100% I’m gonna step in and work 110%.”

Zarnovicka and Skylar George were also crucial parts of the Orange’s game, recording five and eight kills, respectively.

Ledermueller led the team with assists with 31, maintaining her six game streak of reaching double digits in assists. Ledermueller has been an extremely consistent setter this season. On Sept. 9 she recorded a season-high 43 assists against Fordham.

“It’s definitely different, just because last year we had a lot of injuries. We needed to adjust a lot. It’s definitely fun to have actual outsides on the outside,” Ledermueller said. “I love being on the court, doing my job. And thanks to the girls, it’s going well.”

Freshman and defensive player Ashlee Gnau played in all three sets and scored her first service ace of the season. This was also Gnau’s fifth game of the season and third time playing in three sets.

Ganesharatnam said the opportunity for her to get this playing time presented itself nicely with Zarnovicka playing on the right side, allowing Gnau to perform well on the right in the back row.

“(Gnau) has been practicing really well for weeks now. I felt like the first week of preseason she needed a little time to get settled in, but after that, she’s been working really consistently well and improving pretty much every week,” Ganesharatnam said.

The Orange will play Iowa State Saturday and Cornell Sunday to round out the Syracuse Invitational. Then, next week, SU will begin conference play against University of North Carolina.

“The goal is not just to have a good nonconference schedule… to have a good season overall, and that includes ACC play as well. So at this point, we’re not just hoping to have a good ACC season, we are determined,” Ganesharatnam said.

Published on September 19, 2024 at 10:59 pm

Contact Vivian: vpcollins06@gmail.com