Returning to action on Thursday night, the Oneida boys volleyball team met Chittenango and beat the Bears in four sets.
Each of the games were competitive. The Indians won the opener 25-20, only to see the Bears claim the second set 25-22. Oneida resumed control, though, as it won the third set 25-20 and claimed the fourth set 25-19 to close it out.
For the victorious Indians, Shawn Ano amassed 18 kills, five blocks and five digs. Sam Adams picked up 10 kills, six aces, seven digs and four blocks, while Kevin Cavanaugh earned eight kills and Mike Ellsowrth earned five blocks.
Working on the back line, Travis Morrison picked up 23 assists and 11 digs, with Eric Merrell earning 13 assists and nine digs. Cody Staple had 10 digs and five aces.
Chittenango’s Caleb Mannix had a fine effort, too, with 14 kills and eight assists. Ryan Smith had 11 kills as Corey Rivet picked up 11 assists. Mike Messinger (four kills) and Connor Toth (three kills, two blocks) helped out.
Two nights earlier, the Bears beat Canastota 25-20, 25-11, 25-17. Mannix earned 13 kills, four assists, three aces and three blocks, with Smith adding nine kills and Rivet picking up 15 assists. Charlie Smith (nine assists) and Jamie Meade (six kills) led Canastota’s effort.
As Chittenango was beating Oneida, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill put together its strongest effort of the season, knocking off unbeaten Living Word Academy in a three-game sweep.
Having lost to the Lions back on Jan. 4, the Red Devils were eager to get a second shot. And it took full advantage, winning the first set 25-14, then rolling through the next two sets by scores of 25-16 and 25-20.
Cole Barbano, with 23 assists, and Kyle Renwick, with 10 digs, anchored a VVS back line where it defended quite well against Living Word’s powerful attack. Up front, Jordan Loboda and Casey Henderson each had 10 kills, with Loboda adding eight blocks. Jake Voelker picked up seven kills and seven digs. Steve Geer finished with five kills and five digs.
