Everything the Skaneateles girls volleyball team had accomplished during its 6-0 start pointed toward the challenge it will give to reigning Section III Class C champion Cazenovia in Tuesday night’s Laker duel.
Yet it almost didn’t get to that point, as Skaneateles endured its third five-set match of the season Thursday against Solvay, squandering a two-set advantage before pulling it out against the resilient Bearcats to go with the five-set wins it had over Marcellus and Hannibal earlier this month.
Though each of the first two sets was close, the Lakers took them by equal 25-20 margins. Solvay then stepped up and, led by Brielle Bagozzi (11 kills, 11 digs), Allie Posnick (28 assists) and Gabby Rivera (36 digs), rolled to a 25-11 win in the third set and a 25-16 win in the fourth.
Only now did the Lakers find its footing again, fighting off Solvay in the fifth set in yet another 25-20 decision as Cassidy Pitman finished with 14 assists and six digs, with Lily Delasin earning 10 assists, six digs and three aces.
Sarah Delasin served up seven aces to go with nine digs. Jessica Patalino had a team-best nine kills, while Mia Grasso managed six kills and four blocks. Rachel Smith had seven digs as Aidan Bennett put up four kills and four digs.
As the lead-up toward Cazenovia continued, Skaneateles hosted Institute of Technology Central last Tuesday night and, after some early uneven play, won the first set 25-13. Then the Lakers matched that margin in the second set before completing the sweep of the Eagles 25-10 in the third set.
Ten different Skaneateles players earned at least one ace, with Patalino getting four aces to lead the way. Pitman had three aces to go with seven assists and two kills, while Grasso had four kills, two aces and two assists.
Karah Blair led the defense, gaining five digs. Bennett, Elizabeth Williams and Maeve Canty joined Patalino as they got three kills apiece. Lily Delasin finished with six assists and Canty contributed five assists. Hannah Blowers (two kills), Jenna Moore (two kills) and Jessica Casper (two assists) also made contributions.
Aside from the showdown with Cazenovia, Skaneateles also hosts Bishop Grimes next Friday night.
