Leonid Yelin

October 26, 2013 - 5:09pm
Led by Silvi Uattara on offense and Melina Violas on defense, the women's volleyball team swept the Yellow Jackets in three sets for its fourth win in five matches.

The Syracuse University women’s volleyball team extended its winning streak Friday after another ACC victory, this time against Georgia Tech under the lights of the Carrier Dome. The game marked the third time the Orange played in the Carrier Dome this season, but is the first time the team won. The win also boosted the Orange to 6-1 in Friday matches against unranked opponents.

September 29, 2013 - 1:51pm
Syracuse fell to defending champion No. 18 Florida State after winning first set.

In its first match of conference play since debuting this season in the ACC, the Syracuse University women’s volleyball team was unable to pull off the upset against two-time defending ACC champion No. 18 Florida State University inside the Carrier Dome.

Syracuse (5-8) came out of the gate strong, and won the first set 25-19. It was the first time this season that the team won a set against a ranked opponent. However, Florida State (8-4) bounced back to take the next three sets and the victory, winning in four sets: 19-25, 25-16, 25-13, and 25-13.

September 23, 2013 - 10:12am
Once too scared to speak to her teammates, Lithuanian-born Monika Salkute now embraces a new family and a new home on the Syracuse women's volleyball team.

Between sets and after games, the Syracuse women’s volleyball team gathers in a corner of the court. They are often laughing, smiling, or — if things aren’t going so well during the game — discussing game tactics with each other. Monika Salkute, the 6-foot-3-inch, pale, blonde Lithuanian, nods quickly at her teammates’ chatter and laughs loudly when they joke.

A year ago, she stood silent and alone in the corner, too afraid to speak.

September 14, 2013 - 1:14pm
The Orange offense and defense played effectively, leading to a three-set victory over Delaware State.

In just over an hour, the Syracuse University women’s volleyball team cruised to its second victory of the day against Delaware State University in the Candlewood Suites Challenge. Syracuse (3-5) played efficiently on offense and defense throughout the contest to prevent Delaware State (0-4) from earning its first win of the season. The Orange won in three sets: 25-12, 25-13 and 25-12. Syracuse was directed by sophomore outside hitter Silvi Uattara, who led the team in points (12) and kills (11).