Syracuse volleyball sweeps UAlbany for 2nd straight win, improves to 2-2
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Historically speaking, it’s a tale of the sweep when Syracuse and UAlbany play.
Entering 2026, the programs had met 11 times since 2000. Seven of those meetings ended in a sweep, with Syracuse prevailing in straight sets six times.
Friday was no different. Fresh off a sweep of Howard Thursday, Syracuse (2-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) swept UAlbany (0-4, 0-0 America East) in a match it controlled throughout. With the victory, the Orange won consecutive games for the first time since September 2025.
After controlling the first set easily Thursday, it took Syracuse a little longer to get settled on Friday.
The first set went back-and-forth, with both teams swapping one-point leads. Neither squad separated itself, as Syracuse held a slim two-point lead entering the first media timeout.
But after the break, the Orange quickly took control.
Right-side hitter Keila Gabriel’s best asset might be her power, but she showcased her finesse Friday, sneaking a soft shot just over the net and into empty space, contributing to a three-point run in the first set. She recorded a season-high eight kills Friday.
Two kills from Gabriel and two UAlbany attack errors gave Syracuse a 19-15 lead.
Then, middle blocker Abby Nicholson stepped up. A kill and a block added two more for Syracuse as it began to hit its stride. With a 23-20 lead late, Nicholson landed a kill before Kiernan Stamey sealed the deal, with both points coming off assists from Charis Burge.
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Stamey was a key reason for Syracuse’s success in the first set. She tallied five kills in the frame as she continued to prove herself as a cornerstone of SU’s offense.
The second set mirrored the first, with no team pulling ahead before the media timeout. The Great Danes came out hot, holding a lead early in the set. However, five errors kept things close as Syracuse overtook them just before the halfway mark.
A service ace and four combined kills from Nicholson and Bella Rodriguez gave the Orange life as they entered the break on a 5-1 run.
Just like the first set, Syracuse led 15-13. In similar fashion to the opening frame, Syracuse pulled away after the break.
The Orange dominated the second half of the set, conceding just two points and closing the frame on a six-point run.
Stamey came up big, notching three late kills as SU’s middle blockers put their athleticism on display, combining for three clutch blocks.
After a 25-15 second-set victory, the Orange could smell blood. But just like the first two sets, they had difficulty distancing themselves from UAlbany.
Tied at eight in the third set, Syracuse caught fire. An all-around effort resulted in a seven-point onslaught as it pulled way ahead. Three different players notched a kill as a service ace and two UAlbany errors contributed to the run.
However, UAlbany didn’t go away easily. A four-point spurt cut SU’s lead to three.
But the Orange responded. Another Nicholson kill, an attack error and a service ace put Syracuse up 21-14. Rodriguez’s sixth kill of the day added another as a service ace, and an error put SU on the precipice of another sweep.
Yet UAlbany still wouldn’t back down. The Great Danes brought themselves within four before an ensuing service error completed the sweep for the Orange.
Syracuse looked much improved compared to last weekend, capitalizing on UAlbany’s 18 errors.
Stamey set a season-high in kills, leading the team with 13 as Nicholson logged a season-high 11 alongside seven blocks. Burge played all three sets as the Orange’s primary setter, tallying 25 assists and seven digs. Six players recorded at least five digs as Yuka Urano led the team with eight.
It was Syracuse’s most complete defensive showing so far this season, resulting in 18 total block assists and 44 digs, both season-highs.
“It’s been something we’ve been working on from Day 1, and we know it’s going to take time,” SU head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam said on his team’s blocking. “I thought we saw a big step forward.”
