CENTRAL NEW YORK – All that a 14-4 regular-season record which included a 12-match win streak merited for the East Syracuse Minoa girls volleyball team was a no. 5 seed in the Section III Class A playoffs.
This was more a reflection of the depth of the sectional field, which included Christian Brothers Academy as a no. 3 seed even though the Brothers lost twice to the Spartans in the regular season.
In last Monday’s rematch of their five-set classic from Dec. 16, here it was all ESM as it rolled through the first two sets 25-13 and 25-16 against CBA and then won a closer third set 25-23 to complete the sweep.
A deep Spartans back line was anchored by Leah Rehm’s 26 digs and Kristina Levkovich’s 18 assists as Bailey Rehm tacked on eight assists.
Morgan Palmer, who produced 13 digs, led up front with 14 kills, while Katelyn Davis had seven kills. Victoria Romano added three kills and three blocks, Levkovich getting six digs and Erin Murnane eight digs.
When it came to the sectional quarterfinals, CBA was at home Saturday to face no. 6 seed Whitesboro as ESM, on the road, challenged no. 4 seed Carthage.
Both the Brothers and Spartans had won regular-season meetings against their playoff foes late in December, though CBA needed five sets compared to ESM’s sweep of the Comets.
In the face of a loud Carthage home crowd the Spartans took the first set 25-20 and then, after several set points, pulled out the crucial second set 28-26 before holding on 25-21 in the third set to complete the sweep and advance.
Palmer got 12 kills and 12 digs, Davis earning 11 kills and Murnane seven kills to go with seven digs as Maraano had four kills and four blocks. Levkovich produced 27 assists and three aces, which Leah Rehm matched on her way to 18 digs.
CBA looked for similar success against Whitesboro – but could not find it.
After the two sides spilt their first two sets by equal 25-19 margins, Whitesboro took charge for good in the third, winning it 25-17 and then closing it out 25-20 in the fourth to earn a semifinal berth against Rome Free Academy.
Carleigh Morgia managed 22 kills and 17 digs, with Naveah Bacheyie getting 14 kills and 14 digs. Rachel Zdep finished with 32 assists and Katie Pledger had 14 digs, but CBA’s season concluded with a 10-4 record.
Manlius Pebble Hill found itself as the no. 7 seed in the sectional Class D bracket, taking on no. 10 seed Faith Heritage in the opening round for a berth in the quarterfinals against no. 2 seed New York Mills.
Having split two four-set matches with the Saints in the regular season, the Trojans found itself in a tight first set with several set points before MPH was able to grab it 27-25.
This allowed the Trojans to absorb a 25-22 loss in the second set and, going back in front for good, win the third set 25-18 before putting away Faith Heritage 25-15 in the fourth.
Caroline Bernazzani led the way with six aces, six kills and eight blocks, Laura Kinane getting 24 assists and 16 digs. Annie Ward put up 10 kills, adding 17 digs. Darby Gardner got six kills and Nora McGee five kills. India Clary-Sohriakoff earned 24 digs.
Now against New York Mills, MPH lost the first two sets 25-20 and 25-17, was able to extend the match winning the third 25-21 but saw Mills win again 25-20 in the fourth, ending the Trojans’ season with a 7-9 record.
