Syracuse volleyball’s serve improves despite 3-0 loss to No. 5 SMU
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Syracuse entered Friday with a clear goal: reduce service errors and improve serve receiving.
In its 3-0 loss to Notre Dame Sunday, the Orange committed eight service errors, giving the Fighting Irish eight free points. SU head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam harped on the topic during media availability this week.
“Serve receive is all about reps and confidence,” Ganesharatnam said. “So we’re giving them a lot of reps and we’re trying to give them confidence, but at the same time we’re trying to put them in pressure situations so they get more used to it.”
Fixing the issue against No. 5 SMU wouldn’t be an easy task. But Syracuse rose to the occasion.
Despite its 3-0 loss, Syracuse (5-7, 0-3 Atlantic Coast) drastically improved in the serve department Friday against SMU (11-2, 3-0 ACC). The Orange committed only one service error and finished the contest with a ratio of four service aces to one service error.
“I think the serving was really good today. It allowed us to really defend,” Ganesharatnam said. “It’s still an area we want to continue improving upon.”
Yuka Urano scored the game’s first point on a service ace to give Syracuse a 1-0 lead. It caught SMU off guard, as SU’s next point was from an SMU attack error, giving it a 2-0 advantage.
Urano, who transferred to Syracuse after spending 2025 at Navarro College, has been a bright spot on SU’s new-look roster this season. The sophomore’s 14 service aces lead the Orange.
The second service ace also came in the first set, when Emma Williams rocketed a serve over the net toward SMU’s Levariya Pinder. Williams also scored another service ace during the second set.
After spending two seasons at Montana, where she appeared in 49 sets, Williams has made an immediate impact at SU. Her two service aces Friday brought her season total to nine, and she’s also tallied 61 kills on the year.
Following the game, Williams said maintaining a positive mentality against better teams was something she had on her mind Friday.
“Being able to play big names all over the country is just a really great opportunity,” Williams said.
Abby Nicholson recorded the fourth service ace – Syracuse’s third of the evening – in the second set. Nicholson is fourth on the Orange with six service aces this season.
Against Louisville last Friday, Syracuse struggled mightily in the receiving department. SU had 10 receiving errors against the Cardinals, a major factor in its 3-0 loss.
But even in their loss to Notre Dame Sunday, the Orange improved that mark significantly. SU had just four receiving errors against the Fighting Irish.
On Friday against the Mustangs, Syracuse had only five receiving errors despite the defeat. It was one more than against Notre Dame, but still a step in the right direction.
“Something that we keep talking about week after week is just building off of each game and learning together,” Marie Laurio said during weekday media availability.
Syracuse fell short against SMU. There’s no denying that. But its serve improvements allowed it to stay competitive against a top-five team in the nation.
The game was tied 15 times Friday night, with nine occurring in the third set. It’s a major step forward for Ganesharatnam and Co.
“I would just say we’re excited,” Nicholson said. “You saw us today; we really competed. We were right there with them. We just need to have positive energy, a positive mindset and then we’re ready. We’re excited.”
