It took five long sets, but the Oneida girls volleyball team finally survived a classic battle with Chittenango in a non-league match on Friday night. Twice, the Indians went ahead, as it won the first set 25-15 and the third set 25-10. Twice, the Bears caught up with gritty wins in the second set 25-23 and, despite some match points, 27-25 in the fourth game. Oneida had the last surge, though, winning the fifth set 25-21. Shannon Dowling accumulated 20 assists, seven digs, six aces and four kills, with Melssa Murawski adding 18 assists. Up front, Paige Pendleton managed 16 kills and nine blocks, with Carley Parker adding 11 kills and 10 digs and Lena Reginelli earning 10 kills. Audra Boehm had six blocks as Ann DuChene registered nine digs and four aces. Christina Smith contributed four kills. Staying in front of the Tri-Valley League, the Indians improved to 7-0 within league play last Tuesday with a sweep of Camden, then proceeded to get a non-league victory Friday over the Chittenango Bears. In three sets, the Indians beat the Blue Devils 25-21, 25-21, 25-15. Pendleton dominated at the net, earning 14 kills and six blocks, with Reginelli adding six kills and Parker getting five kills. DuChene had five aces and five digs. Vernon-Verona-Sherrill met Living Word Academy Thursday night, losing in four sets to the Lions. The Red Devils won the opener 25-16, but after Living Word won the second set 25-20, it seized full-time momentum, also winning the next two sets 25-20, 25-19 and 25-22. In defeat, Stephanie Siriano managed nine kills and eight digs, while Erin Confer had eight kills. Rebecca Przybylski earned seven assists. Back in the Tri-Valley League on Friday, VVS did extend Holland Patent to a fourth set, but lost to the Golden Knights 25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19. Katelyn Bowers had five assists as Confer gained four kills and Alyssa Durant finished with four blocks. Chittenango’s week began with a major struggle in last Monday’s match against Jamesville-DeWitt as the Bears lost to the Red Rams 25-15, 25-20, 25-16. Rachel Antelmi still had time to record 11 kills, with Jenna Barber adding three kills. Katie Milliman picked up 10 assists as Rose Mashie had just six assists, plus two kills and two aces. The Bears’ Wednesday match with Homer was snowed out.