By Amber Aniston
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November 5, 2026
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Boston College delivered an impressive road performance Wednesday, November 4, 2026, sweeping Syracuse 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-15) at the Women's Building in Atlantic Coast Conference women's volleyball action. Sam Hoppes led the Eagles with 12 kills on an outstanding .526 hitting percentage, while Audrey Ross recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs. Boston College improved to 13-11 overall and 4-9 in ACC play, while Syracuse dropped to 6-16 and 1-12 in conference competition. The Eagles controlled the match through efficient attacking, aggressive serving and timely scoring runs, finishing with a .320 team hitting percentage while limiting Syracuse to .103. Despite a match-high 18 kills from Syracuse's Kiernan Stamey, Boston College maintained its composure to secure the straight-set victory. Sam Hoppes Leads Boston College's Efficient Offensive Attack Hoppes delivered one of the Eagles' strongest individual performances, recording 12 kills while hitting .526. Her ability to finish attacks helped Boston College maintain offensive consistency throughout the match. Ross provided another important contribution, finishing with 10 kills, 10 digs, three assists and a service ace. Her double-double demonstrated her effectiveness on both sides of the court, particularly during Syracuse's attempts to build momentum. Naomi Watson added eight kills on a .353 hitting percentage and contributed four block assists. Isabelle Poehlein recorded five kills while hitting .333, along with two blocks. The Eagles' balanced production prevented Syracuse from concentrating its defensive efforts on one attacker. Boston College also benefited from strong distribution by its setters, with Lucie Vesela recording 17 assists and Ava McBride contributing 10. Boston College Takes Control With First-Set Scoring Run Syracuse opened the match competitively, taking an early 5-4 advantage behind its attacking effort. The Orange remained within one point at 9-8 before Boston College began separating itself. With Vesela serving, the Eagles produced a decisive 6-0 scoring run, extending their lead to 16-8. The stretch featured two service aces from Vesela and kills from Ross and Hoppes. Boston College continued applying pressure through effective serving and efficient attacking. The Eagles hit .382 during the opening set, making it difficult for Syracuse to establish sustained defensive control. Although Stamey recorded four kills in the frame, the Orange struggled to overcome Boston College's scoring advantage. McBride eventually finished the set with a kill, securing a 25-14 victory and giving the Eagles a 1-0 match lead. Syracuse Battles Back in Competitive Second Set The second set provided the closest competition of the evening. Boston College established an early 10-6 lead following a kill from Watson. However, Syracuse gradually reduced the deficit through improved attacking and defensive execution. The Orange pulled within 13-12 before eventually tying the score at 17-17 following three consecutive points, capped by a kill from Keila Gabriel. With momentum shifting, Boston College responded immediately. The Eagles produced a three-point run featuring a Vesela service ace and a combined block from Watson and Ross. Syracuse answered again, reducing the deficit to 20-19 after a service ace from Stamey. Boston College maintained its composure, scoring three consecutive points to establish a 23-19 advantage. Hoppes delivered important kills late in the frame, helping the Eagles close out a 25-22 victory. The result gave Boston College a commanding 2-0 match lead despite Syracuse's strongest stretch of play. Lucie Vesela Sparks Dominant Third-Set Start Boston College entered the third set determined to complete the road sweep. The Eagles quickly established control behind another impressive serving stretch from Vesela. Boston College produced an 8-0 scoring run, building a 12-2 advantage. The surge included kills from Ross, Hoppes and Watson, along with another Vesela service ace. Syracuse responded with five consecutive points, including an ace from Abby Nicholson, reducing the deficit to 13-8. The Orange continued competing and eventually moved within five points again at 16-11 following a Stamey kill. However, Boston College answered with another decisive scoring run. The Eagles scored five consecutive points to extend their advantage to 21-11. A service ace from Brooklyn Yelland and consecutive kills from Poehlein helped Boston College regain complete control. Syracuse could not recover, and an Orange attack error ended the set 25-15, completing the Eagles' 3-0 sweep. Kiernan Stamey Leads Syracuse Despite Defeat Although Syracuse struggled offensively as a team, Stamey delivered a productive individual performance. The Orange attacker recorded a match-high 18 kills on a .263 hitting percentage. She also contributed seven digs and a service ace, providing Syracuse with its most consistent attacking option. Stamey recorded seven kills during the second set alone, helping the Orange remain competitive. Setter Mira Ledermueller finished with 28 assists, six digs and two block assists. Her performance was particularly significant because it marked her first start in ACC play this season. Defensively, Queen Howse led Syracuse with 13 digs, while Emma Williams added nine and Gabriel contributed five. Despite those individual efforts, Syracuse could not match Boston College's offensive efficiency. Syracuse Adjusts Lineup Following Yuka Urano's Back Discomfort Syracuse faced an unexpected lineup adjustment shortly before the match. Libero Yuka Urano experienced back discomfort, forcing the Orange to reorganize their defensive assignments. Howse moved into the libero position, taking on additional responsibility in Syracuse's backcourt. The adjustment required several players to adapt to different roles against an efficient Boston College offense. Howse responded with 13 digs, helping Syracuse remain competitive during extended rallies. Both teams finished with 41 digs, demonstrating that Syracuse continued competing defensively despite the final score. However, attacking errors proved costly. The Orange committed 21 attack errors compared with Boston College's 11, contributing to the significant difference in hitting efficiency. Boston College's Serving and Attacking Efficiency Prove Decisive Boston College's victory reflected a balanced performance across multiple areas. The Eagles finished with a .320 hitting percentage, more than three times Syracuse's .103 mark. Vesela was particularly effective from the service line, recording a match-high four aces alongside 17 assists and six digs. Yelland anchored the Eagles' defense with 12 digs while contributing 10 assists and a service ace. Boston College consistently used scoring runs to prevent Syracuse from sustaining momentum. The Eagles' ability to respond immediately after Syracuse rallies was especially important during the second set. For Syracuse, the defeat marked its third consecutive straight-set loss, highlighting the challenges facing the Orange during ACC competition. What's Next for Boston College and Syracuse? Boston College and Syracuse will meet again on Sunday, November 8, when the Eagles host the Orange in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, with the rematch available on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX). Boston College will look to build on its efficient offensive performance and secure another conference victory. Syracuse, meanwhile, will seek improvements in attacking consistency and error management after struggling to contain the Eagles' scoring runs. For Boston College, Hoppes' 12 kills, Ross' double-double and Vesela's strong serving combined to deliver a convincing road victory. The Eagles enter Sunday's rematch with momentum after controlling all three sets against their ACC opponent.