It proved to be a memorable Friday night on two fronts for the Marcellus and Skanetaeles girls volleyball teams, competing just a few miles apart.
The Mustangs maintained its perfect league record (12-0 overall) by sweeping Christian Brothers Academy, while the Lakers saw a 2-0 lead in games dissipate in a loss to Cazenovia — the very same power Marcellus will confront this Friday.
By far, the tougher match took place in Skanetaeles, where the western Lakers appeared poised to score a huge win over the eastern Lakers.
Skaneateles crushed Cazenovia 25-9 in the first game, and though the second game went beyond the wire, the western Lakers won again, 26-24, to double its lead.
A few points from a sweep, Skaneateles would watch, though, as Cazenovia seized the third game 25-21 and the fourth game 25-18.
And the fifth game would prove to be close, too. The western Lakers got within two points of winning the match, only to see the eastern Lakers pull it out, 26-24.
Through it all, Krissy Ryan dominated on the front line with 17 kills and eight blocks, as Emily Wood added 14 kills and four blocks. Alex Hughes (seven kills), Ryan Merle (five kills) and Katherine Hill (four kills) made contributions, too, as Chloe Warner fed all of them with 39 assists and also got four aces.
Cazenovia had its share of stars, too, as Abby Cordes earned 21 assists and 13 kills and Alissa Easterly added 15 assists, six kills and three aces.
While all this was going on, Marcellus engaged with 10-3 CBA. Other than the second game, the Mustangs were in complete control as it swept past the Brothers 25-14, 25-22, 25-18.
Averaging more than 10 assists per game, Jenn Daley finished with 31 assists, a high total for just three games. Often, those feeds went to Lauren Fletcher, who put away 22 kills as Kayla Howard added six kills. Sarah Clere (three aces) and Kelly McInerney (three kills) contributed, too, as Carly Annabelle and Sarah Vulcano excelled on defense.
On Monday night, the Mustangs nearly got caught looking ahead to Cazenovia, needing five games to fend off Westhill.
Marcellus took the opening game 25-18, only to see the lead disappear as Westhill claimed the second game 26-24.
A close third game saw the Mustangs win, 25-22, and it was needed because the Warriors took the fourth game 25-19. Finally, having enough of the drama, Marcellus dominated the fifth game and took the match 25-12.
Fletcher gained 23 kils, with Howard gaining 12 kills and five blocks. Daley had to put up 41 assists.
As Marcellus confronts Cazenovia again, Skaneateles meets Bishop Ludden to finish off its regular-season slate.
