Yes, it’s a new era for Skaneateles girls volleyball, but at least at the outset, it’s the same satisfying results.

The Lakers’ 2014 season got underway on Aug. 28 at long-time rival Marcellus, and it took just three sets for Skaneateles to prevail as it sets out to reclaim the top spot in the Onondaga High School League.

After the retirement of long-time head coach Doreen Doctor left the Lakers looking for a new mentor, Laurie Tanner took the helm. She inherited a team with just four seniors on its roster, but a lot of talent, too.

Against Marcellus, all seemed to go well. Skaneateles claimed the opening set 25-19, and then survived a tough second set 25-23 before going out in the third set and completing the sweep by a convincing 25-13 margin.

Anna Smith led the way, putting together 11 kills, 11 digs, eight assists and five aces. Kelsey Kraetz was a strong net presence, earning 11 blocks and eight kills, while Shannon Foehl recorded 14 digs. Laura Finn (10 kills) and Kristin Field (eight assists) led the Marcellus effort.

Playing its home opener last Tuesday night, the Lakers had little trouble with Jordan-Elbridge, putting together a 25-10, 25-15, 25-8 sweep over the Eagles.

Though the entire roster saw action, Smith still managed six kills, three assists, four digs and three aces. Foehl had eight aces, to go with five digs, while Margaret Canty managed six aces, three assists and two kills. Kraetz contributed five kills and Bella Falcone had three aces.

Things changed, though, when Skaneateles stepped out of league circles and visited Cicero-North Syracuse Thursday night. Absorbing an early deficit, the Class AA Northstars rallied and beat the Lakers in four sets.

All seemed to be fine when Skaneateles won the first set 25-21. But once C-NS pulled out the second set 25-22, it gained confidence and blazed through a 25-9 third set, the Lakers unable to recover as the Northstars, by a 25-15 margin, closed it out in the fourth set.

Smith only had five kills to go with her 10 assists, 13 digs, four blocks and five aces. Kraetz and Bailey Herr matched Smith with five kills, while Farrell got five blocks. Foehl (11 digs) and Mallory Davis (12 digs) contributed on the defensive side and Herr added nine digs.

To win, C-NS got 20 assists from both Jess Doran and Kelsey Hess, their passes going to Hannah Millias, who had 11 kills, and Nicole Herringshaw, who added eight kills.

Two days later, Skaneateles lost again, this time in a 25-21, 25-12, 25-20 decision to Liverpool. Kraetz, in defeat, managed 10 blocks and seven kills, while Smith had five aces, six assists and four blocks. Mikayla Brown (eight kills) and Julia Flohr (22 assists) led the Warriors to victory.

Absorbing those defeats, Skaneateles would get nearly a week to practice before a key early-season match this Wednesday night against its fellow Lakers from Cazenovia.