Though the Skaneateles girls volleyball team only carried a 6-4 record into the decisive month of October, it did so with far more momentum than it had for most of the first half of its regular-season slate.

That was because the Lakers, coming off back-to-back defeats to Westhill and Cazenovia,, ended that skid when it hosted Marcellus last Monday night and put together a four-set victory over the rival Mustangs.

Each of the first two sets had similar patterns, with Skaneateles getting in front and hanging on to win by similar 25-20 and 25-19 margins. Marcellus prevented the sweep, taking the third set in another 25-20 decision, and nearly pushed it to the wire before the Lakers grabbed the fourth set 26-24 to end the match.

Margaret Canty led the back line, earning 17 assists and 14 digs. Next to her, Emma Goodell earned 18 digs, while Olivia Nye picked up nine digs. Emily Baldwin notched five digs and three kills as Karah Blair and Cassidy Pitman each had four digs, Pitman adding four assists and three aces.

Meanwhile, on the Skaneateles front line, Kelsey Kraetz picked up 12 kills and eight blocks, helped by Bailey Herr, who put together eight kills and 11 digs. Jessica Patalino added three kills and two aces. Laura Finn led Marcellus with six kills and 15 assists.

Skaneateles had an easier time of it in its first match of October Thursday night, beating Syracuse’s Institute of Technology Central in a three-set sweep where long point runs led to a 25-7, 25-9, 25-14 decision.

Nearly a set’s worth of aces – 23 – helped Skaneateles get going, with Pitman earning six aces. Kraetz had four aces to go with six kills as Bella Falcone also had four aces. Bailey Herr, who earned three kills, and Olivia Nye both earned three aces. Canty put together 10 assists, three kills and two aces as Emily Baldwin notched four kills and Allie Baldwin got a pair of aces.

Now at 7-4 following that pair of wins, the Lakers host Solvay next Tuesday before a tough road test at Westhill two nights later.