Shhhh.

Don’t make a sound. Noise is the last thing the Syracuse volleyball team wants to hear entering its bye week on Thursday. Rest and relaxation are musts.

But before the Orangewomen can hit their snooze buttons, they will play Siena tonight in Loudonville.

It probably won’t take more than a sleep walk for the 14-9 Orangewomen to dispose of the 3-14 Saints.

‘They’re a pretty scrappy team,’ junior captain Morgan Jones said. ‘They’re good at ball control, but not really on the front row.’

Syracuse beat Siena once this year, in three straight games at the Big Orange Tournament and has never lost to Siena in its 13 matches dating back to 1979. Out of the 43 games Siena has played in its 17 matches, the Saints have only managed to win 19 of them.

Sophomore Jessica Logan said it’s a goal of SU’s not to play down to Siena’s level.

Syracuse head coach Jing Pu might use the game as an opportunity to see what Syracuse can do in different situations.

‘Jing uses games like this to mix things around,’ Logan said. ‘He’ll try different lineups to see if other things will work against tougher teams.’

‘In games against not highly as skilled teams,’ Jones said, ‘it’s a chance to just improve on everything.’

But once the Orangewomen say ‘goodbye’ to Siena, they plan on saying ‘hello’ to their pillows. Syracuse has played 25 games, six of which were conference games, and has been practicing almost daily for more than two months.

‘We’re just going to relax,’ Jones said. ‘Our bodies need it. We’ve been going every day since August 10. It’s a good chance to get better for some of us.’

Syracuse sits in fifth place in the Big East conference at 3-3. It’s one spot short of the qualifying position for the Big East tournament. With powerhouses Notre Dame, Miami and Pittsburgh all still looming on the schedule, Logan thinks it’s a good idea to rest up.

‘Once we get back from the bye week, it’s all the tough Big East teams,’ Logan said. ‘We better get our rest.’

One such player who needs the rest is sophomore Katie Allen, who suffered a twisted ankle in last Friday’s game against Rutgers. Allen sat out Sunday’s game versus Seton Hall.

Jones said that Allen has gotten some repetitions in practice.

‘(Allen) is in good spirits,’ Jones said. ‘She’s lifting with her upper body and she’s able to pass and serve in practice. She has a positive attitude and she’s doing well.’

Syracuse’s next match after Siena isn’t until Oct. 24 at Manhattan. Big East games at Providence and at Boston College follow on Oct. 25 and 26.