It took only two matches for the new Skaneateles girls volleyball coach, Dan Mulroy, to notch his first victory,
The milestone came in Tuesday night’s match against Hannibal, where the Lakers, who had lost its season opener at Fulton on Sept. 1, rebounded by sweeping the Warriors in three sets – though it didn’t prove that easy at the outset.
Following a 25-19 opening set, Skaneateles got pushed in the second set, only to keep Hannibal from pulling even with a 25-22 decision. Now with all of the momentum, the Lakers rolled through the third set 25-12.
Eight different players combined to produce 20 aces, though no one had more than the four posted by Cassidy Pitman, who also got four assists. Jessica Patalino had three aces to go with four kills, four blocks and two assists as Karah Blair added three aces and three assists.
Defensively, Emma Goodell finished with seven digs as she also joined Erica Beatson, Elizabeth Williams, Sarah Delasin and Emily Baldwin in getting two aces apiece. Baldwin added three kills and Olivia Nye earned three assists.
Two nights later, the Lakers visited Bishop Grimes, who was fresh off a five-set marathon win over Altmar-Parish-Williamstown. At first, this didn’t harm the Cobras too much, but gradually Skaneateles got control and prevailed in four sets.
Up 25-16 after a strong first-set performance, the Lakers may have relaxed a bit, allowing Grimes to snatch the second set 25-19. That was jolting enough for Skaneateles to rebound and, by a 25-17 margin, take the third set before closing it out, 25 20, in the fourth.
Blair improved to nine assists and five aces. Goodell picked up nine digs and four aces, while Pitman had seven assists and five digs. Patalino had a team-best seven kills and matched Blair’s five-ace count as Aidan Bennett managed five kills and three blocks. Grasso and Baldwin each got four kills, Baldwin adding four assists and three aces as Delasin contributed five digs.
Things really get serious for the Lakers next week thanks to three tough matches in four days, starting Tuesday against Marcellus, continuing Thursday at reigning Section III Class B champion Westhill and finishing Friday night back home against LaFayette.
