Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.

Syracuse has faced a tough stretch in Atlantic Coast Conference play, with opponents consistently posting high hitting percentages and racking up kills. Highlighted by its matchup with Boston College, every game has shown SU’s ongoing challenge to contain aggressive offenses.

The Orange’s contest with Georgia Tech on Sunday was a chance to reverse that trend. Instead, Syracuse took another step back.

Its struggles continued on Sunday afternoon, as the Orange (13-11, 5-9 ACC) fell in straight sets to Georgia Tech (13-10, 8-6 ACC), marking SU’s fifth straight loss. The Yellow Jackets’ efficient offense — including just 13 attack errors — helped them dominate. GT posted a .297 hitting percentage and hit over .300 in both of the first two sets while holding Syracuse to a .187 mark. It’s the fifth consecutive match in which the Orange have allowed opponents to hit above .260 — a growing trend that’s fueled their slide.

“We wanted to produce more quality in our institution, and find ways to make adjustments quicker,” SU head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam said. “There were times where we executed at a higher quality level than we did on Friday, but it was hard to sustain that consistently.”

Sunday’s loss wasn’t an anomaly. Across the Orange’s past five losses, opponents have averaged a .291 hitting percentage and 63 attacks per set.

Against Boston College on Oct. 24, Syracuse was swept behind BC’s .306 team hitting percentage and 46 kills. The Eagles steadily improved their efficiency through each set while committing just 13 attack errors.

Audrey Ross led the charge with 16 kills, followed by Sequoia Layne (11) and Cornelia Roach (six). The Eagles’ balanced attack and dominant net presence, highlighted by Bella Ehrlich’s nine blocks, kept Syracuse off balance, as the Orange only hit .137 overall.

Syracuse’s struggles continued in its next game against Florida State. The Seminoles overpowered SU 3-1 with a relentless offensive performance, finishing with a .268 hitting percentage. FSU’s attack was driven by Iane Henke, who delivered a match-high 22 kills, and Kyleene Filimaua, who added 16, combining for more than half of FSU’s total kills.

The Seminoles became more efficient as the match progressed, peaking in the decisive fourth set with a .583 hitting percentage, 14 kills and no errors. Setters Nellie Stevenson and Lily Nicholson orchestrated a balanced, fast-paced offense that kept the Orange block off rhythm.

FSU’s 61 kills highlighted one of the most dominant offensive displays Syracuse has faced this season.

“We need to keep using the block, staying smart, and working on our toolboxes,” outside hitter Skylar George said after the game. “We’re playing girls that do have more physicality and height, so being smart and fearless is important.”

Then-No. 15 Miami powered past Syracuse 3-1, racking up 67 kills and hitting .303 as a team. It overpowered SU from start to finish, winning sets by wide margins

Miami’s Flormarie Heredia Colon delivered 33 kills, nearly matching Syracuse’s entire team total of 38. Her consistency was too much for the Orange to handle. The Hurricanes’ efficiency was apparent early, with a .343 hitting percentage in the first set and .333 in the third, as setter Ariana Rodriguez guided the offense with 48 assists.

The Orange were then defeated yet again by Clemson, as the Tigers finished with 64 kills on a .282 hitting percentage. Three players led their attack with double-digit kills. Clemson’s dominance was most evident in the opening and closing sets, where they hit .345 in the first and .472 in the fourth to seal the win.

“We started off ACC play really hot and got great wins, but it’s really about how we respond to where we are right now,” George said.

Syracuse entered Sunday’s matchup with GT with little improvement over its last four games. Despite competitive stretches against Georgia Tech, SU still couldn’t slow its rhythm. George did provide 10 kills and Soana Lea’ea added nine, but six SU service errors undermined their momentum.

Georgia Tech’s execution contrasted sharply with Syracuse’s inconsistency. The Yellow Jackets outdug Syracuse 49-35 and committed two service errors, helping sustain long rallies to clinch the victory.

Across its last five losses, Syracuse has averaged just 1.5 blocks per set while its opponents have averaged nearly 2.8, illustrating the Orange’s struggles to slow down opposing hitters at the net.

“We are on the lower side in size compared to the rest of the ACC,” Ganesharatnam said. “Hitters have to work much harder to score at the same level as some of the opposing teams’ hitters, and that takes a lot of energy and mental toughness. We have to keep working and finding solutions, so we can improve our hitting percentage.”

Syracuse has stayed composed through it all, though. Ganesharatnam said the team’s chemistry has become stronger through the stretch. Libero Emma Ortiz added that the players all go out to dinner after tough losses to lighten the mood, too.

However, unless Syracuse finds a way to neutralize opposing hitters and minimize unforced errors, its late-season skid could continue against an increasingly competitive conference slate.

Published on November 9, 2025 at 6:31 pm
Contact Ellie: esrand@syr.edu