Energized, chest-painted fans packed the stands, and parents fired up their charcoal grills in the parking lot Saturday to watch Syracuse face its most challenging Big East opponent — at the Women’s Building.

The last home volleyball game of the season drew a capacity crowd to the usually quiet gymnasium. Though the Orangewomen lost, 3-0, to Notre Dame (21-5, 11-0 Big East), a season-high 414 fans helped make this the most intense home match of the year.

One groupie even painted the familiar SU No. 5 on his chest — except it wasn’t for R.J. Anderson or Donovan McNabb. Rather, he cheered for sophomore outside hitter Morgan Jones.

‘Those are actually guys that lived with us last year in our dorm,’ Jones said of the fan club. ‘Last year, they decided to paint our numbers on their chests, and they’ve always come to all of our games. They’re just dedicated fans.’

The only fans possibly more dedicated are the players’ parents and relatives, who were out as part of Parents Weekend festivities. Inspired by the cheers of their families and peers, the Orangewomen (19-10, 5-6 Big East) played their best volleyball of the season.

Syracuse kept pace with the conference-leading Fighting Irish, heating up a match that, statistically, should have been a blowout.

‘We’ve played well with just our families in the stands, but that was great to see all these people out here,’ freshman Kristen Conway said between hugs from her younger brother. ‘It definitely contributed to the enthusiasm.’

‘It added a lot to the intensity of the game,’ said Emily Hull’s father, Larry, who visited from Michigan. ‘The girls seemed to respond to it.’

It was more than families and Syracuse students in the stands — SU also recruited locally. Assistant coach Alexis Dankulic said the Orangewomen sent invitations to area high schools and junior high schools, hoping to promote the sport and pique the interest of young athletes. If the turnout was an indication, it’s working.

Syracuse graduates only one player this year, middle blocker Abby Van Mater. If the Orangewomen carry the intensity they displayed against Notre Dame into next season, they may not have to wait until next Parents Weekend to fill the gym again.

‘Even without a crowd, you still have to play,’ Jones said. ‘But I think the crowd is a factor of the intensity and how much the momentum can change.

‘As a team, we played really well. We’re just young, and we’ll be around next year.’

Published on November 10, 2002 at 12:00 pm