Syracuse Volleyball overmatched by undefeated Pittsburgh
Syracuse Volleyball overmatched by undefeated Pittsburgh
The top-ranked Panthers swept Orange in straight sets in front of packed gym on Sunday.

Syracuse fans came out in force for the team’s matchup against top ranked Pittsburgh on Sunday. Despite the big crowd, the undefeated Panthers defeated the Orange in straight sets 3-0.
“Thankful for them (the fans) to be here, but I wish they would show up every weekend or every other weekend. Not just because Pitt is in town,” head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam said.
“My challenge to everybody who came out this weekend is to come back,” he said.
The Syracuse coach later added that SU students should come out to support all the student-athletes on campus.
Ava Palm loved playing in front of a big crowd. She recorded a team-high 10 kills.
“We’re Syracuse, and a very big part of the reason I came here was because of the name Syracuse. You know, it’s like it means something when you say it,” she said.
The undefeated Panthers have lost three total sets across 14 matches, and lost only one set in conference play. Palm didn’t believe that the top-ranked team in the country is the best team she’s ever played.
“I think we could’ve won every set,” Palm said.
Palm believed that all her teammates who played could’ve had ten kills.
“It’s just a matter of trusting yourself or not being afraid, just being fearless and being big, you know, being big with your confidence,” she said.
Key players such as Graduate student Sydney Moore and sophomore Mira Ledermueller did not play against the Pittsburgh. Junior Annie Nikolnikova also saw limited time. Ganesharatnam said the lineup decisions were based on matchups and added that many players are practicing well.
Multiple younger players, including freshman Pola Bujnarowska, saw increased playing time against the Panthers. Bujnarowska left the game in the second set due to an injury. Ganesharatnam said that she likely suffered an ankle sprain.
Palm had the first five kills for the Orange in the first set, who trailed 9-6. Sophomore Zhaira Harris-Waddy and graduate student Sara Wasiakowski had kills in the first set for the Orange.
Panthers sophomore Torrey Stafford had eight kills in the first set and finished with 16 in the match. Pittsburgh went on four separate 3-0 runs and two separate 4-0 runs to win the first set 25-11.
Pittsburgh went on a 5-1 run to start the second set, with Panthers sophomore Olivia Babcock and Freshman Ryla Jones picking up two kills each. Bujnarowska left with an injury when the Orange trailed 18-11.
Syracuse then went on a 4-0 run as sophomore Sydnie Waller had two kills. The Panthers went on a 7-1 run with sixth-year Valeria Vazquez Gomez and sophomore Olivia Babcock combining for three kills to take the set 25-18.
Palm recorded two early kills in the third set, with Harris-Waddy, Nikolnikova, and Waller each adding one. The Orange trailed 8-6 before the Panthers went on a 5-0 run.
SU called timeout, trailing 13-6, and redshirt freshman Skyler George had a kill on the ensuing rally. Pittsburgh went on a 4-0 run to take an 18-8 lead before surviving a 4-1 run by Syracuse. The Panthers closed out on a 6-2 run to win the third set 25-14.