Before it was done, the Cicero-North Syracuse and Liverpool girls volleyball teams would both go 1-1 in their respective Section III Class AA playoff runs.
With the no. 3 seed, the Northstars had the more advantageous path to the final (played in its own home gym), since it avoided top seed and overwhelming favorite Baldwinsville.
Still, though, C-NS had to make its way through the opening round last Tuesday night – which it did, sweeping no. 6 seed Central Square in three sets.
Though each of the sets were closely fought, the Northstars still pulled them out 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 as Lindsey Silfer led the way, distributing five kills, six assists, three aces and three blocks.
Amy Van Hoven was strong, too, earning nine kills and nine digs, to go with three aces. Cara Gannett (three kills, three blocks) and Adrianna Patzer (five blocks) offered help on the front line as Tiffany Ryan added five digs. Kelsey Hess, Samantha Roberts and Hannah Narbaugh contributed three digs apiece as Narbaugh also earned three kills.
Two nights later, the Northstars met no. 2 seed Fayetteville-Manlius in the semifinal, just as it had done a year ago, when it rallied from a 2-1 deficit and prevailed in five sets.
Not in this instance, though, as the Hornets, remembering what had happened in 2011, went out in front by claiming the first two sets 25-20 and 25-15, and fended off C-NS’s attempt to extend the match, claiming the third set 28-26.
In defeat, Van Hoven still had 11 kills, while Gannett picked up nine kills and Elizabeth Miles had four kills. Silfer (15 assists) and Kelsey Hess (eight assists) split back-line duties, with Ryan getting 10 digs and Samantha Roberts earning eight digs.
Liverpool, stuck with the no. 4 seed and a direct path to B’ville, at least took care of the opening-round part last Tuesday night, needing just three sets to eliminate no. 5 seed West Genesee.
Once it won the first set 25-22, the Warriors seized control with a 25-15 romp through the second set. The Wildcats nearly extended the match, but at 24-24, Liverpool got back the serve and closed it out 26-24.
Meg Stonebarger picked up 20 assists, adding four kills and five digs. Up front, it was a near-perfect balance of contributions as Emily Flohr earned eight kills and four others – Alexis Hasper, Gabby Gould, Amelia Baratier and Katie Rowell – had six kills apiece. Sam Wolf added four digs and two kills.
Sure enough, in Friday night’s semifinal Liverpool lost to B’ville 25-18, 25-14, 25-18 to finish its season with a 10-7 mark. Stonebarger still managed 10 assists, three kills and three digs, while Rowell had six kills and six digs. Wolf and Amanda Lauricella also had six digs as Kelly Fitzpatrick managed three kills and Jenna bush added two aces.
For the lone Class AA boys volleyball side left, C-NS could not get a chance to play on its home court for the finals, either, the no. 4 seed Northstars falling to top seed Oswego in Thursday night’s semifinal to finish its season with a 9-10 mark.
As it turned out, the opening set was pivotal. C-NS had numerous chances to grab it, but the Bucs pulled it out, 28-26, and went from there to also win the next two sets by margins of 25-18 and 25-20.
Justin Collins finished with 15 assists, his passes often going to Josh Rodriguez, who led with seven kills. Andrew Bocyck added four kills as Devin Smith and Robert Palucci each earned three digs.
For Oswego, who advanced to play B’ville in the finals, Josh Carney managed 34 assists, his passes going to Dylan Lavner (13 kills) and Zach Gillard (11 kills) on the front line.
