As its regular-season introduction, the Oneida and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill boys volleyball team both got a whole lot of work done — but neither could win.
The Indians’ five-game loss to Jamesville-DeWitt Monday night saw the visitors twice take leads, and twice see them slip away.
Oneida won a close opening game 25-23, only to have the Red Rams earn a 25-16 win in the second game.
Quickly recovering, the Indians beat J-D 25-18 in the third game. Once again, though, the Rams would claim control, earning a 25-20 win in the fourth game and moving on to win a tight fifth game 25-21.
Mike Rabbitt, in defeat, led Oneida with 18 kills, while David Watson added 10 kills. Neil Parry had five aces. For J-D, Tyler Grover and Nick Buniak each had 11 kills, with Peter Goss (10 assists) and Mac Keehfus (14 assists, six kills) working on the back line.
Meanwhile, VVS nearly made a remarkable comeback against Westmoreland, only to absorb its own five-game defeat to the Bulldogs.
Westmoreland won the first game 25-18 and dominated the second game 25-10. VVS kept itself alive by winning the third game 25-16, then surviving numerous Bulldog match points in the fourth game to take a 30-28 decision.
Somehow, the Bulldogs shook this off and beat the Red Devils 25-20 in the fifth and final game, negating a great effort where Josh Masi and Tyler Curtis each had 11 kills. Luke Voelker had 22 assists, with Rob Sweet adding six assists and four kills. Westmoreland’s Tyler Matteson led his side with 18 kills, 12 assists and eight blocks.
