ONONDAGA COUNTY – Just like their female counterparts, area high school boys volleyball teams had to see their planned fall seasons canceled as their sport was deemed “high-risk” under New York State COVID-19 health guidelines.

But with those state standards eased, the courts were open in March, and three teams started practicing, including the new varsity program at East Syracuse Minoa, who opens on Wednesday at Central Square.

Fayetteville-Manlius got underway last Thursday night, against Living Word Academy, and the Hornets were steady and consistent throughout a 25-17, 25-15, 25-20 sweep of the Lions.

Cyrus Felton put together eight kills, four digs and two blocks to pace F-M as Brandon Rogers earned seven kills, three blocks, two aces and three digs.

Isaac Frechette notched six digs to go with his five kills as, working on the back line, Aidan Liddell finished with 20 assists distributing to a balanced Hornets front line. Jack Perry contributed three digs.

All of this was a prelude to F-M challenging reigning sectional champion Cicero-North Syracuse last Saturday afternoon.

In the opening set, the Northstars set the tone, prevailing 25-16. Though the Hornets inched closer in the next two sets, it still lost them by margins of 25-20 and 25-21.

Liddell gained 22 assists, with Felton getting eight kills and Frechette managing six kills. Rogers got four kills as, for C-NS, Brandon Millias had 29 assists, feeding it to Kevin Felasco (nine kills), Nick Espinoza (eight kills) and Gabe LaRobardiere (six kills) on the front line.

That same night, Jamesville-DeWitt debuted against Liverpool, unable to catch up to the Warriors as it lost in a 25-15, 25-17, 25-20 decision. The Red Rams face Oswego and Syracuse City in this week’s action.