By prevailing in each of its first six matches of the season, Liverpool established itself as the main challenger to Baldwinsville in the local large-school girls volleyball ranks.
And when the Warriors came to the Baker High School gym last Wednesday night, the result was the same – a Bees victory – though it took a bit longer than B’ville fans may have wanted.
When the Bees routed Liverpool 25-12 in the first set and cruised through the second set 25-18, another sweep seemed likely. However, it was Liverpool controlling the third set 25-16 and pushing B’ville hard in the fourth set before a 25-20 decision ended the match.
Maddie Stone picked up 22 assists, adding five blocks and three kills. Katie Welcher, with 10 kills, led a well-balanced front line where Sophia Cronk and Rileigh Kimball each got seven kills, Kimball adding five digs and three assists.
Adding further depth, Kristen Liu gained five kills and five blocks, with Carly May contributing four kills. Defensively, Summer McClintic picked up 15 digs. Liverpool had Leahana Keeling earn 10 kills and Toria Betelak addeight kills and Madison Lapoint five kills, while Sophie Vangelov got 23 assists, seven digs, three blocks and two kills.
In boys volleyball, Baldwinsville met Oswego last Tuesday night, and lost in four sets. The Bees got off to a terrific start, winning the first set 25-16, but the Buccaneers claimed the next two sets 25-19 and 25-18 before pulling out a 25-23 decision in the fourth to prevent B’ville from extending the match to the limit.
Tyler Aiello still had 12 kills, with Nate Johns adding nine kills. Thomas Higman produced 19 assists as Davis Weakley picked up four kills and three assists, Dan Cerqua adding seven digs. Oswego’s Jason Proud had 32 assists, feeding it to Kyle Kon (22 kills) and Zach Crossman (12 kills) on the Bucs’ front line.
Two nights later, B’ville beat the combined Syracuse city team, nearly getting caught in the second set, but still finishing off a 25-14, 25-23, 25-17 sweep without too much stress.
Aidan Priest emerged with 14 kills, his passes often coming from Keegan Stan, who got 18 assists, four aces and four digs. David Cornell earned seven aces as he and Greg Porceng had four kills apiece as John Naparwa got three kills. Cerqua finished with three aces, three assists and four digs.
