Dana Valelly provides digs, assists when Syracuse needs her

During most of Friday night’s game against North Carolina, and all of Sunday’s game against North Carolina State, junior Dana Valelly stood on the sideline, often clapping and cheering her teammates on. It’s something Valelly has done a lot this season, only appearing in seven sets, a large decrease from the 113 she played in last season.

But on Oct. 14, in a 3-2 loss to Florida State (third in the ACC standings), Valelly made the most of her appearance, playing in all five sets and leading the team in digs with 16. She also added an ace and three assists. With even better efficiency than last season, Valelly provides valuable depth that can aid Syracuse (12-6, 8-2 Atlantic Coast) down the stretch.

“She saved a lot of points for us,” SU assistant coach Derryk Williams said of the Florida State game. “So I think defensively she did a great job. Having a second setter on the court is always great in case we’re out of system, and she can really take care of the ball.”

With her 16 digs, which tied a career best, Valelly is currently averaging 2.29 digs per set. That’s a full dig more compared to 1.23 her sophomore year and 1.02 her freshman year, when she appeared in 64 sets. That mark is good enough for fourth-highest on the team.

Digs are an area Syracuse can improve in, having entered last weekend ranked No. 281 in the country in digs per set, averaging 13.35. Having another defensive specialist like Valelly could provide a much needed boost.

“It’s definitely different than freshman year,” Valelly said. “You kind of feel it as an upperclassman, especially junior year. You’re not as timid and you kind of know the ways around the place and you know how the system works in the ACC.”

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This year, Valelly has specialized at the “one” position on the court. In a typical 5-1 rotation, the one is the defensive specialist that complements the libero, and is normally situated in the back right of the court, playing diagonally opposite from the designated setter.

In a 6-2 rotation, though, Valelly gives the Orange a second setter. Syracuse remains steady setting this year. Jalissa Trotter has accounted for 71.7 percent of SU’s assists with 647. Valelly finished with 169 last season, but has only four this year, on account of mostly going in as a defensive specialist.

“Well she can help (Trotter) when she’s on the court like, ‘Hey there’s something open’ or ‘What am I doing?’” senior Santita Ebangwese said. “She can help her out because she’s a setter, she knows what she’s looking for. And two, if (Trotter) were to take the first ball or (Trotter) is not able to get the second ball, we still have another setter on the court that can still run our offense.”

Valelly evolved her game — even if she doesn’t get the chance to show it on gameday.

“I definitely have seen growth,” Ebangwese said. “Her setting is much better, her decision making is great and her one defense has gotten exponentially better.”

No matter how much she plays, Valelly still has the Florida State game as reminder of how she can help the team going forward, and how she’s helped the team in the past.

“Even though she’s a setter, we know she’s a good defender,” Yelin said. “It’s nothing new for her.”