Continuing its solid start, the Vernon Verona Sherrill girls volleyball team fought to the wire in last Monday night’s match against Living Word Academy before beating the Lions in five games.
The Red Devils appeared in control when they won the opening game 25-15, but gave it right back when Living Word claimed the second game 25-19.
VVS dominated the third game 25-11, but could not finish off Living Word as it lost the fourth game 25-22. However, the Red Devils wore down the Lions in the decisive fifth game and won big, 25-9.
Stepanie Siriano earned 10 aces, 16 assists and five kills, providing back-line help to Rachel Brown, who had 23 assists.
On the front line, Rikki Kneeskern led the way, earning 15 kills, as Alexis Albro added six kills. Hillary Stoltz added five kills. Alex Jones earned four kills, six aces and two blocks.
One night later, when VVS met New Hartford, it again went to five games — but this time, the Spartans came out on top.
Twice, the Red Devils came back. It lost the first game 25-20 but pulled out a 27-25 win in the second game. New Hartford prevailed 25-20 in the third game, only to have VVS claim the fourth game 25-18. And in a long, dramatic fifth game, the Spartans ghts edged the Red Devils by a slim 25-23 margin.
Through the long battle, Albro produced 14 kills, while Stephanie Siriano stepped up with 12 kills and Kneeskern got 10 kills. Liz Bush contributed six kills, with Brown earning 22 assists.
Back on Dec. 12, the Red Devils had swept Holland Patent 25-17, 25-16, 28-26. Kneeskern (five kills) and Jillian Lehmann (four kills) worked on the front line as Brown helped them out, earning 11 assists.
Oneida got into the win column last Wednesday night, taking four games to beat Camden.
Getting the early jump, the Indians won the first two games 25-23 and 25-17. Though it just missed a sweep by dropping the third game 25-23, Oneida closed out the Blue Devils by winning the fourth game 25-19.
Shannon Dowling had nine kills, nine aces and 13 assists, while Rachel Kline picked up eight kills and seven blocks. Paige Pendleton helped out with nine aces and three blocks.
