Women's Volleyball

FLY THE FLAG: Buffalo Sweeps Syracuse in Non-Conference Finale

Sunday, Sept. 20 Volleyball Results
Buffalo 3, Syracuse 0
Xavier 3, Akron 1
 
Recap courtesy of Buffalo's Athletic Communications Department

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo women's volleyball team (8-3, 0-0 MAC) swept the Syracuse Orange (5-4, 0-0 ACC) on Sunday afternoon, 25-20, 25-20, 25-15. This marked the program's first win over Syracuse since Sept. 19, 2012. Buffalo's eight wins during the non-conference slate are the most since they had 10 in 2023.

Over the last three matches, the Bulls have swept each of their opponents for the first time since 2024.

Manoela Forlin led Buffalo's offensive attack with 14 kills as Hailey Campagna added 11 of her own. As a team, the Bulls finished with a .439 hitting percentage as they held the Orange to .181. This marked the Bulls' highest hitting percentage since they hit .451 against Miami (OH) on Nov. 3, 2023. Buffalo had just seven errors off the attack as Syracuse had 21.

Defensively, Abisola Adebayo finished with three blocks.

SET 1 | The Orange led 12-8, but the Bulls fought their way back as trailed 15-13 at the media timeout. Buffalo then went on to outscore Syracuse 12-5. The Bulls were effective on the attack as they hit .346 to Syracuse's .179.

SET 2 | Buffalo jumped out to an early lead and didn't look back. Tied at 3 was as close as they set would get as the Bulls won, 25-20. Buffalo's offense continued to dominate on the attack as they hit .481 with 16 kills and just three errors. Forlin had five kills in the set as four other Bulls had multiple kills.

SET 3 | Leading 2-0 in sets, the Bulls put away the Orange with ease as they won 25-15. Buffalo led as many as 11. Buffalo's offense was unstoppable as they were error-free on the attack with 14 kills on 29 attempts for a .483 hitting percentage.

"The team came into this match feeling very confident and knew they would have to play consistently," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "I felt we were extremely efficient and really made Syracuse work for everything, and didn't give up much. It's a great way to end non-conference, seeing a lot of the growth from the team we have been striving for."

The Bulls return to Broadview Arena on Friday as they'll open conference play against the Kent State Golden Flashes at 6 p.m.