Since taking a straight-sets defeat to Chittenango on Dec. 14, the East Syracuse Minoa girls volleyball team has resumed its winning form.
The Spartans swept Rome Free Academy just two days after the loss to the Bears. Then, in last Monday night’s visit to Cato-Meridian, ESM survived a tough first set, pulled it out 25-23, and then dominated the Blue Devils from there, winning the next two sets by 25-9 and 25-7 margins.
Aside from her 11 kills, Gillianne McCarthy also paced ESM by earning 11 aces. Isabella Talarico earned four aces, with Arrica Williams getting two aces.
Elsewhere, the Spartans, who improved to 5-2 on the season, had Aubrey Williams produce eight kills and Sophia Zacharek gain seven kills to help McCarthy on the front line. Meghan Mulligan finished with five kills. ‘
On Thursday, ESM hosted Weedsport and prevailed again, cruising through a 25-9 first set, but getting jolted a bit when the Warriors pulled out a 27-25 decision in the second set.
But when it won a close third set 25-21, the Spartans regained control, eventually taking the fourth set 25-14 as McCarthy dominated the front line with 18 kills and three blocks, her passes coming from Talerico, who had 32 assists, four aces and four digs. Zacharek had eight kills and six digs as Aubrey Williams earned five kills. Arrica Williams served up six aces and Claire Maring gained eight digs.
Back on Tuesday nightit was Manlius-Pebble Hill taking its shot at Chittenango, and while it had plenty of strong moments, it couldn’t keep up and took a 25-14, 25-16, 25-17 defeat as Tyla Cutrie, with nine kills, and Shelby Maring, with 15 assists, led the Bears.
Christian Brothers Academy returned to action last Wednesday night with its own match at Cato-Meridian. The Brothers handled the first two sets 25-16 and 25-14, and though the Blue Devils won the third set 25-17, CBA dominated the fourth set 25-11 to end it.
Kristen DeLorenzo piled up 12 aces, adding seven digs. Sydney Congel and Logan Congel each finished with 11 kills, while Catherine Burns, who had a season-best eight aces, added seven kills and four digs. On the back line, Anna Jenkins picked up 18 assists and Liz Hucko got 11 assists.
