Old challengers or new, the reality remains the same – it’s awfully difficult to beat the Baldwinsville girls volleyball team.
Cazenovia was the latest strong squad to find this out, as it came into the Baker High School gymnasium Tuesday night and watched the Bees sweep them in three games.
After reaching the Section III Class A finals in February, Cazenovia and Skaneateles both decided to move to the fall in order to take a shot at the state championships in Glens Falls. Since they went alone, the two sets of Lakers will meet each other in November’s sectional finals.
Before that, though, Cazenovia would face a schedule full of Class AA teams, and that included B’ville, the toughest entry of all.
Relying on power and strong defense, the Bees cruised through the opening game 25-14, but the second game proved far more difficult.
Cazenovia broke out to a 15-8 lead before B’ville, with Brianna Stewart offering a series of strong serves, tied it up 15-15. Then it went back and forth until Cazenovia, up 24-22, served for the game.
B’ville, who had rarely faced such danger in any game this season, turned back the game point, then two more, before regaining the lead at 26-25 and, with Stewart serving again, closing out the game with the next point.
A routine third game of 25-14 would follow, as Stewart finished with 31 assists. Her passes went to a balanced front line where Paulina Rein earned 11 kills, Sarah Klaben got 10 kills and Sydnie Hamm had eight kills.
Also, Hamm had 10 digs as libero Becca Maher picked up seven digs and Rein added six digs and three aces. Cazenovia, in defeat, saw Lizzy Reed earn 12 digs and six kills, with Hannah Koennecke (eight kills), Amber Robinson (14 assists) and Chelsea Lauria (eight assists) helping out.
The Bees play at Central Square Thursday before hosting its annual tournament on Saturday.