No way was the Cicero-North Syracuse boys volleyball team going to let this Section III Class AA final on its home court get out of its grasp. Unlike 2009, when Baldwinsville snatched the championship from the Northstars, Wednesday night’s title match provided a sweet ending as, led by faces both familiar (Jim Coleman) and new (Ethan Irish), CNS swept no. 3 seed Central Square in three games. Head coach Michael Lucia said his team’s maturity had a lot to do with its dominant season-long run to the championship. “It’s a team with a lot of experience (10 seniors), and they know how not to give the other team any momentum (during the match),” said Lucio. Central Square would search all night, in vain, for that momentum, but it could not match the magical effort it put forth a week earlier when it stunned no. 2 seed Baldwinsville in five games, denying the final everyone had expected for much of the season. Part of it, too, was the fact that CNS, despite two comfortable wins over the Red Hawks in the regular season, did not take the visitors for granted and brought forth its full effort with a championship banner in sight. And it began with Coleman, the steady back-line leader. In just three games, Coleman, who also is a pitcher on the Northstars’ varsity baseball team, delivered 30 assists, using his touch and poise to set up the powerful hitters on CNS’s front line. “Jim keeps a level head,” said Lucia. “All floor leaders know where the ball is going at all times.” Irish transferred from Living Word Academy and only joined the CNS squad this fall, but instantly became its top front-line player. On this night, Irish decimated the Red Hawks in many ways, earning 16 kills and three aces, including a timely ace that closed out a 25-20 opening game. “He’s very aggressive,” said Lucio. “He goes after the ball, knows the game and has great court awareness.” Irish also looked quite colorful on this night, having donned a Mohawk haircut and green dye on his air, much like teammate Billy Werksman. “I just decided to do something crazy,” said Irish, defending the wild look. With Irish, Werksman (five kills), Colin Crooks (six kills) and Tyler A. Smith (nine kills, four assists) patrolling the front line, CNS, following its win in the opening game, led most of the second game and took that one 25-18. The Northstars and Red Hawks went back and forth in the third game early on, but at 12-11 CNS took the lead for good and didn’t stop until Crooks, with one last kill, closed out the match 25-17. CNS will play Section IV champion Horseheads Saturday in the regional finals at Elmira College, looking to make it to next weekend’s state championships – which will be played right in the Northstars’ gymnasium, giving the new champions quite an incentive as it sets out toward greater honors. ”