LOCATION: PE Gym - Albany, N.Y.

SHORT STORY: UAlbany opened its home slate with a tough battle against undefeated Syracuse, ultimately falling 3-0 despite a late push in the third set.

COACH JOSH PICKARD: "This was a tough opener for the home tournament.  I thought both teams made a lot of great plays, but when the rallies got long, we tended not to be as successful.  Our early rally offensive numbers were good, but we needed to keep the rallies shorter.  We have two more opportunities in front of our home fans this weekend."

SCORE: Syracuse 3, UAlbany 0 (25-17, 25-12, 27-25)

RECORD: Syracuse 4-0, 0-0 ACC | UAlbany 2-2, 0-0 America East

KEY STATS

• Senior outside hitter Shynelle Woroniuk led UAlbany with 7 kills, 10 digs, and 2 blocks.

• Senior middle blocker Tori Wilson added 5 kills and 2 blocks.

• Redshirt-junior libero Brooke Malek tallied a team-high 13 digs and 3 service aces.

• Sophomore setter Maria Olga Siapani dished out 21 assists and added 9 digs.

• Graduate outside hitter Gabriella Karman finished with 4 kills and 1 ace.
   

HOW IT HAPPENED

• UAlbany kept the first set close early, with kills from Anna Myhal and Shynelle Woroniuk tying the score at 11.

• Gabriella Karman connected on a late swing, but Syracuse finished on a run to take the opener, 25-17.

• Duri Harden and Karman provided timely kills in the second set while Brooke Malek anchored the defense with steady play in the back row.

• Despite UAlbany's efforts, Syracuse built an early cushion and secured the frame, 25-12.

• The Great Danes delivered their best stretch of the night in the third, using kills from Tori Wilson and Woroniuk to go up 15-12.

• Malek served back-to-back aces, and Campbell Robinson added another to put UAlbany at set point, 24-22.

• Syracuse rallied in the final moments, narrowly escaping with the 27-25 win.

NEXT: The Great Danes continue action at the UAlbany Invitational on Friday, Sept. 5, against Cornell at 6 PM before closing the weekend against Canisius on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 2 PM.