While keeping itself undefeated in head-to-head matches was important to the Cazenovia girls volleyball team, so was the fact that it was testing itself against top-flight competition both inside and outside Central New York.
The Lakers ventured to Victor, near Rochester, for a tournament on Sept. 23. One week later, it was part of large local contingent taking part in Baldwinsville’s annual tournament, where in the top Gold division it fell to Victor (Section V). Two Section II teams reached the final, with Shenendehowa defeating Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake for the title.
In between, there was the small matter of OHSL matches, which the Lakers didn’t overlook. Cazenovia hosted Phoenix Monday night and dropped just its second set in league competition this fall, but still prevailed over the Firebirds.
Easy wins in the first two sets by 25-11 and 25-15 margins was followed by Phoenix, two points from getting swept, pulling out the third set 27-25. Not bothered by this, the Lakers dominated the fourth set in another 25-11 decision.
Delaney Yorks put together 20 assists, nine digs and six aces, with Lauren Burbidge adding eight aces and 10 digs. Morgan Hodinger got nine kills and Ryleigh Tillison added seven kills, each of them earning six digs. Lindsay Lawson had four kills and two blocks, with Madison West contributing three kills.
Expecting another test at Solvay on Wednesday night, the Lakers did go through a close opening set, but once it won that set 25-22, Cazenovia took over again, claiming the next two sets by 25-12 and 25-17 margins for another sweep.
Hodinger earned 13 kills, adding seven digs, while Lawson had nine kills and West stepped up with seven kills. Tilison earned seven aces, six digs and three kills as Yorks got 21 assists and 11 digs. Burbide had 10 digs and three aces as Laura Clements picked up six digs, three assists and two aces.
Cazenovia has tough back-to-back matches next week, taking on Homer Tuesday and Skaneateles on Wednesday night, though the Lakers did beat both of them earlier this season, topping homer in four sets Sept. 7 and Skaneateles in three sets on Sept. 19.
