Monika Salkute

November 7, 2013 - 1:04am
The Fighting Irish battled back in the final two sets, but the Orange held strong in a three-set victory and have now won seven of its last nine matches.

The Syracuse University women’s volleyball team returned to the court at the Carrier Dome for one last time this season, and made it count. The Orange grinded out a victory in a mid-week battle against familiar foe Notre Dame.

Syracuse (12-13, 7-6 ACC) succeeded in countering every shift of momentum for Notre Dame (10-14, 4-9 ACC). The Fighting Irish lived up to its name, and kept each set close. However, with two come-from-behind sets, the Orange escaped with a three set victory, by a score of 25-19, 25-23 and 25-23.

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.