Through the years, the Cazenovia girls volleyball team has enjoyed many great battles with the likes of Marcellus and Skaneateles, proven programs under proven coaches (Hy Bryant for Marcellus, Doreen Doctor for Skaneateles) that, over time, made the Lakers better.
Now, though, it’s at a point where Cazenovia rules over the sides that once ruled them, as evidenced by back-to-back matches last week where the Lakers again finished on top and stayed undefeated.
Feeding off the momentum of its Sept. 17 sweep over previously unbeaten Westhill, the Lakers took on Marcellus last Tuesday night at Buckley Gym. With a steady, relentless effort, Cazenovia swept the Mustangs by scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-19.
Jenna Britton, finishing with 21 assists, fed her passes to Danielle Tedesco, who had nine kills, three aces and four blocks, and Molly Carges, who earned eight kills. Lauren Lyons had a team-best four digs as Morgan Hodinger also had three aces.
For Marcellus, Laura Finn had 24 assists, with Mikayla Catherman getting 17 digs and Allison Field 12 digs to keep points alive in front of Eimile O’Brien and Kendyll French, who each had nine kills.
Cazenovia’s match with Skaneateles took place two nights later, and followed a similar pattern. During each of the sets, the visiting Lakers would build up comfortable leads, and despite a strong effort from the hosts, Cazenovia would prevail.
The eventual 25-15, 25-15, 25-17 sweep included 12 kills, four aces and three blocks from Carges, with Tedesco adding seven kills, four blocks and two aces.
Britton improved her total to 23 assists, while Morgan Mapstone had four kills and Paige Nardella gained seven digs. Skaneateles saw Kelsey Kraetz earn six kills, Margaret Canty pick up six assists and four aces and Emma Goodell earn 11 digs.
Now the Lakers had a 9-0 record, and then tested itself in the annual Baldwinsville Fall Swing Tournament on Saturday, where it won five of nine sets against a quintet of opponents that included Victor, Liverpool, Saratoga Springs, Shenendehowa and Connetquot.
Then Cazenovia took to Syracuse’s Institute of Technology Central and Solvay in back-to-back matches this week to conclude its September slate.
