In a long battle to start its 2011 season, the Fayetteville-Manlius girls volleyball team was taken to five games Friday night, but still beat the Central Square Red Hawks.
At first, it didn’t look too difficult. The Hornets squeaked out a 27-25 win in the first game. Fueled by that momentum, F-M comfortably claimed the second game 25-15.
However, Central Square shook off those struggles and dominated the third game 25-12, following that up with a 25-20 win in the fourth game. The Hornets absorbed all this, and went out in the final game to prevail 25-17.
Lauren Carey, with 29 assists, set up the points. Ivanka Temnycky took advantage, picking up 13 kills to go with 20 digs, while Alexis Rios earned seven kills and 13 digs. Shannon DaRin had 12 digs and five aces as Caroline Gadsden mixed in five kills, four aces and three blocks.
On Central Square’s side, Sheena Dignean and Casey Chase both finished with 11 kills, while Erica Reakes had 20 digs and Catie Shelton got 24 assists.
A day earlier, the F-M boys volleyball team opened with a 25-17, 25-18, 25-22 defeat to defending Class AA champion Cicero-North Syracuse.
Though each of the games proved closer, the Hornets could not pressure the Northstars too much. Aravinth Mathuranayagam had 12 assists, with Jason Zipprich earning five kills and two aces. Dan Silverman got three kills. For CNS, Billy Werksman had 12 kills and Justin Collins had 31 assists.
Following a tournament appearance Saturday in Baldwinsville, the boys Hornets are off until Sept. 14, a rematch with CNS. The F-M girls would play at Oswego Tuesday night.
