Kiernan Stamey’s 19 kills guide Syracuse volleyball to 3-1 win over FDU
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In his opening media statement after trouncing Fairleigh Dickinson Friday, SU head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam said he was pleased with his offense’s performance.
It was the Orange’s best offensive showing all season for many reasons. They had a season-high 57 assists, 63 kills and nine service aces. But as he fielded questions post-match, Ganesharatnam divulged some unsavory details about his bond with outside hitter Kiernan Stamey.
“We have a love-hate relationship, if I may say that,” Ganesharatnam said with a telling grin.
Stamey covered her mouth in shock, but her coach continued.
“We recruited Kiernan because she has tremendous potential, and she wants to be great,” Ganesharatnam said, “We’re very happy that she’s with us.”
Of course, Ganesharatnam’s comments were in jest, but Stamey’s performance was for real even after a slump heading into the game.
She showed no signs of rust Friday night, tallying a career-high 19 kills and helping Syracuse (5-3, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) to a four-set victory over Fairleigh Dickinson (2-10, 0-0 Northeast). Stamey saw some recent struggles ahead of the contest, posting a sub-.115 hitting percentage over her past three matches and racking up 28 errors in the stretch but bounced back with consistent kill stretches.
“These past few games definitely haven’t been my best,” Stamey said. “What I’m focusing on is cleaning those up and getting consistent.”
Stamey came out of the gates hot, putting her recent stretch behind her. She was flawless through the first frame, tallying five kills without recording an error.
The junior’s impact wasn’t just felt on offense. Defensively, Stamey picked up nine digs, which placed third on the team. On the first set’s final point, she lunged for a loose ball, receiving it and sending it back into play. Middle blocker Bo Nijenhuis finished off the point and SU took the first set 25-14 with ease.
Stamey picked up where she left off in the second set. She notched her sixth kill early before SU found itself in a deficit. Stamey wasn’t fazed. She dug deeper, notching two more kills as the Orange later tied the set. The Maryville, Tennessee, native couldn’t stay perfect, recording a handful of errors in the frame, but she brought her kill total to nine as FDU won the set by two.
The junior faltered to begin the third set, but regained her footing soon after. Stamey got up for a block alongside middle blocker Abby Nicholson, keeping SU within reach as FDU opened with a 10-8 lead. On the next point, Stamey rocketed a ball past the Knights’ defense to bring SU within one.
The teams continued battling before Stamey tied the match on her 12th kill. She put the Orange two points away from a 26-24 third-set victory before taking over in the fourth frame.
“Today, she did a really good job following the scouting report,” Ganesharatnam said. “Changing up the way she attacked the ball, which created better opportunities for her to score the longer the match went on.”
With FDU on its heels, Ganesharatnam’s words rang true. Stamey wasted no time applying pressure. A pair of quick kills gave SU a slim lead as it began running away with the decisive set. Stamey didn’t slow down, recording three of SU’s last seven points en route to a 25-15 fourth set win.
When all was said and done, Syracuse had four players notch double-digit kills. But it was Stamey’s triumphant return to form that paved the way for Syracuse’s first home victory since Oct. 17, 2025.
Her 19 kills were a career-high mark, and her .302 hitting mark was her best all season. Stamey’s consistent offense kept SU afloat, and her nine digs proved her defensive versatility isn’t a fluke.
But when asked what clicked during her performance, Stamey didn’t take credit.
“Just my teammates,” she said. “(Setter Charis Burge) does a really good job of cleaning everything up and she takes feedback so well.”
Stamey credited the pair’s chemistry for her success. Ahead of Friday’s matchup, they talked through recent struggles, something Stamey hasn’t done with past setter teammates. It translated to on-court prosperity and a win for SU.
As for Ganesharatnam, he’s excited to see Stamey reach new heights.
“We’re looking forward to continuing this love-hate relationship,” he said.
