Oct. 8, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Georgetown University volleyball team (10-7, 3-1 BIG EAST) begins its homecoming weekend by hosting Syracuse University (9-9, 2-1 BIG EAST) on Friday night at 7 p.m. at McDonough Arena. The Hoyas will also be participating in the Dig Pink! National Breast Cancer Awareness Rally, as High School and College teams around the country will be promoting breast health education, as well as raising funds to help eradicate breast cancer.

Dig Pink attendees will watch Georgetown and Syracuse compete on the court while contributing to breast health awareness making a statement by wearing something pink in the stands. The proceeds from all donations will benefit the Side-Out Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) located in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.

The Blue and Gray come off of one of its most successful weekends in recent history, defeating BIG EAST foes West Virginia and Pittsburgh to move to 3-1 in conference, forcing a four-way tie for first place. The Orange split its weekend matches defeating Connecticut 3-1, before falling to St. John's 3-1 last weekend.

In Morgantown, W.V., the Hoyas dropped the first set before rallying to win its next three. The freshmen duo of Sara Manley (Dove Canyon, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) and Ashley Malone (San Jose, Calif./St. Francis) combined for 10 service aces. On Sunday, they fought back from two sets down to defeat Pittsburgh 3-2, for the second consecutive year. Against Pittsburgh, sophomore Vanessa Dorismond (Cary, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons) had 13 kills and hit .417. Malone had a career-high 34 assists in the victory.

In conference play, the Hoyas lead the BIG EAST averaging 2.00 service aces per set. Malone is fourth in the conference averaging 0.60 per set, while senior Kit Niesen (Gainesville, Fla./Eastside) is fifth with 0.50 service aces per set. Niesen is also second in the BIG EAST averaging 1.60 blocks per set.

Through four conference matches the Hoyas are third in opponent hitting, holding the opposition to .157 hitting efficiency. Friday's opponent, Syracuse is fourth in the BIG EAST in hitting percentage, hitting .255 in 11 sets.

Georgetown will stay home to host Marquette University on Sunday, October 12 at 2 p.m. The Golden Eagles are 7-8, 2-1 in the BIG EAST, coming off of a 3-1 victory over St. John's and a 3-0 loss to Connecticut last weekend.