The UB Volleyball team opened their 2021 season with a rotation that included two freshman, four returning players playing a different position than last season, and just two returning players playing the same position as last season. In addition, senior outside hitter Monika Šimkova and junior libero Jenna Sonnenberg were not available.
And yet, the Bulls forced major conference opponent Syracuse, playing on the Orange’s home court, in front of nearly two dozen screaming fans, to a fifth set tie-breaker. But eventually Buffalo fell, 25-20, 22-25, 25-12, 25-27, 15-9. The two set victories by Buffalo were the first sets they had won against Syracuse since 2012.