Ganesharatnam Preaches Patience After Syracuse Volleyball Falls to Duke in Straight Sets

The Orange has struggled throughout the 2023 season.

It goes without question that the Orange have had a tough season. After their 3-0 set loss today against Duke, the team is now 2-16 overall and 0-8 in conference play.

Early in the season head coach, Bakeer Ganesharatnam lamented the large number of injured players on the roster and placed heavy emphasis on the fact that the active roster is extremely young and has a lot of work to do. Over halfway through the season, that mantra has not differed.

Today’s marks the team's eighth consecutive loss. For coach Ganesharatnam, he said that for him, this season is about patience.

“We have to be patient with this group in order for them to keep growing,” said Ganesharatnam. “It is a little ironic that I’m saying that to you because I’m not known for being a patient person myself but even after games like this, I have to remind myself of the process we’re in.”

Ganesharatnam said the process has been a difficult one as each step the team moves forward, they take multiple back. He said that this is going to be a long-term process with this group and what they truly need is time.

“Time is against us. But that's the only way we can compete. So we're constantly on our heels, but we are trying to do the best we can. Within the situation we're facing,” said Ganesharatnam. “It's not something that's going to be fixed in a month or two months.”

The Orange struggled offensively against Duke, having 24 attack errors to 25 kills. Freshman setter, Veronica Sierzant, and junior outside/right side hitter, Cherlin Antonio, front faced those errors but Ganesharatnam believes they need to be given the benefit of the doubt.

“Cherlin is a junior college transfer from a different country playing in the ACC,” said Ganesharatnam. “Then on top of that, because of the injury situation, we're asking her to be the power hitter and the sole attacker to produce high numbers for us … and attack from the back row on a high consistent level as well.”

“Veronica, she's another kid. She's a setter. Hitting on the right side. We're asking a point guard play power forward,” said Ganesharatnam. “So for her to produce the numbers she has produced in the last three weeks is tremendous, in my opinion.”

Coach Ganesharatnam believes that in the face of the losses and questions surrounding the consistency and improvement of the team, the girls deserve the utmost respect for their efforts and with time, it will come.

“Despite all those obstacles. We're still here progressing and still working and trying to actively find solutions. And I think that demands respect from the players. Absolutely demands respect,” said Ganesharatnam.

The Orange will hit the road this weekend wandering into the sunshine state to take on the University of Miami on Friday and Florida State on Sunday.