CENTRAL NEW YORK – As September transitioned into October, the Cazenovia girls volleyball team made some headway following some difficult challenges against the top sides in the OHSL Liberty division.
Taking on Institute of Technology Central last Monday night, the Lakers only needed three sets to put away the Eagles 25-15, 25-14, 25-10 as Maren Smith set the tone with a season-best nine aces to go with her three kills.
Carleigh Szalach got four aces as she added three assists and two kills. Eliza Gurney and Mya Skeele also got three kills, with Caryn Gagnon getting eight assists and Becca Ziemba five assist.
A week earlier, when Cazenovia lost 25-15, 25-12, 25-16 to Westhill, Smith had six kills, with Szalach adding three kills. Gagnon dished out 10 assists as Skeele added two kills.
Then, in a 25-19, 25-19, 25-17 defeat to Skaneateles right after the ITC match, Gagnon recorded 11 assists as Smith led with six kills. Szalach gained four kills and three blocks as Skeele, Kayla Goodfellow, Zoe McLean, Ashley London and Eliza Gurney each put up two kills.
To lead Skaneateles, Maddy Bender had 15 assists and eight digs, with Alice Bender earning 10 assists. Rory Comer not only got 12 kills, she earned 14 digs as Reese McConochy added seven kills and Laci Gadis contributed 17 digs.
Back in action on Friday night, Cazenovia put together its most lopsided victory of the season against Phoenix, wasting little time routing the Firebirds 25-7, 25-9, 25-2.
The Lakers take on Mexico, Hannibal, Altmar-Parish-Williamstown and Solvay this week – four matches in as many days.
