During a busy homestretch, the Chittenango girls volleyball team continued to battle for victories, even if its didn’t always succeed. The Bears met Cortland last Tuesday night, unable to keep up with the Purple Tigers in a 25-17, 25-14, 25-19 defeat. Jenna Barber finished with seven kills, while Brittney Tirabassi backed up her four kills with five assists. Jamie Gibbons and Rachel Antelmi each got three kills, as did Kelsey Pudney on her way to 10 assists. Cortland had Josie Roberts earn 13 kills. This followed a great match against Mexico on Jan. 24 where the Bears saw a two-game lead get away in a loss to the Tigers in five. Chittenango won the first game 25-21, then repeated that feat in the second game to go up 2-0. Mexico refused to go away, though, dominating the third game 25-13 and claiming the fourth game 25-18. That momentum continued in the decisive fifth game where Mexico prevailed by a 25-16 margin. Pudney had 13 assists, often feeding it to Tirabassi, who had eight kills. Antelmi, Barber and Mackenzie Jones each had four kills. Mexico featured Rebecca Clark pounding out 23 kills as Chelsea Giova earned 26 assists.