ALBANY, N.Y. – The UAlbany volleyball team is set to host the 2025 UAlbany Invitational in the PE Gym, marking the second season the Great Danes compete in their renovated on-campus facility.

Welcoming three teams – Syracuse, Cornell, and Canisius – the Purple and Gold are set to hold six matches across three days as part of the UAlbany Invitational (Sept. 4-6).

Parking is free in the Broadview Lot. Concessions will be available during select games. 

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
SITE: PE Gym - Albany, N.Y.

RECORDS:
UAlbany: 2-1, 0-0 AE
Syracuse: 3-0, 0-0 ACC
Cornell: 0-0, 0-0 Ivy
Canisius: 1-2, 0-0 MAAC

records as of 9.3

 

	Time	Links
September 4
UAlbany vs Syracuse	6 pm	Watch | Stats
September 5
Syracuse vs Canisius	3 pm	Watch | Stats
UAlbany vs Cornell	7 pm	Watch | Stats
September 6
Syracuse vs Cornell	11 am	Watch | Stats
Cornell vs Canisius	3 pm	Watch | Stats
UAlbany vs Canisius	7 pm	Watch | Stats

GREAT DANES, GREAT PLAYS

• UAlbany opened the season at the Rocket Invitational in Toledo, finishing 2-1.
• The Great Danes swept Saint Francis (Aug. 29) and Robert Morris (Aug. 30) while falling to host Toledo in three sets (Aug. 29).
• Graduate outside hitter Shynelle Woroniuk and graduate opposite Kendall Harris each tallied 24 kills across the weekend with Harris hitting at .352. 
• Redshirt-junior Gabriella Karman added 21 kills on a .405 hitting percentage.
• On defense, redshirt-junior libero Brooke Malek recorded a team-high 36 digs (4.00 per set) while adding five service aces. 
• Sophomore setter and 2024 America East Rookie of the Year Maria Olga Siapani paced the offense with 74 assists (8.22 per set), 21 digs, and three aces. 
• Senior middle blocker Tori Wilson added 14 kills and led the blocking unit with 10 total blocks.
• As a team, UAlbany hit .206 with 17 service aces and averaged 12.11 digs per set across the three matches.

ABOUT SYRACUSE
The Orange enter the Invitational undefeated (3-0), sweeping the Salt City Classic on opening weekend. Gabby McLaughlin earned tournament MVP honors after pacing the offense with double-digit kills. Soana Lea'ea added firepower with a .571 hitting percentage while anchoring the front row.

SERIES AGAINST THE ORANGE
This will be the 13th all-time meeting between UAlbany and Syracuse, with the Orange holding an 8-4 advantage in the series. The two teams last faced off in 2023, when the Great Danes opened their season with a statement sweep at home. UAlbany controlled the pace from the start, earning its first win over Syracuse since 2013 and setting the tone for the year.

ABOUT CORNELL
The Big Red begin their 2025 season in Albany, opening against the Great Danes on Friday night. Cornell returns several starters from last year's Ivy League roster, including outside hitter Ella Hansen, who led the team in kills in 2024.

SERIES AGAINST THE BIG RED
Cornell leads the all-time series, 5-3. The most recent matchup came in 2023, when UAlbany battled to a four-set win in Albany. The Great Danes dropped the opening frame but stormed back with three straight, highlighted by strong play at the net, to secure their first victory over the Big Red since 2016.

ABOUT CANISIUS
The Golden Griffins (1-2) opened their season at the YSU Invitational, falling to Duquesne before rebounding with a sweep over Mercyhurst. Senior outside hitter Bella Mosquera led the offense on opening weekend, while setter Ella Bourque tallied over 60 assists across three matches.

SERIES AGAINST THE GOLDEN GRIFFINS
Canisius leads the series, 1-0. The only meeting between the two programs came in 1999, when the Golden Griffins earned a 3-1 win in Albany.

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