CICERO -When the the Cicero-North Syracuse boys volleyball team rallied to beat Liverpool in a five-set epic in late September, everyone on both sides pointed toward their late-season rematch to see if it would prove as memorable and exciting.
To a degree, it was – but for Warriors partisans longing to change the trajectory of this rivalry so lopsided in recent years, it remained an exercise in frustration.
In four close sets, the Northstars prevailed Monday night, showing how much it had grown in recent weeks while cleaning up several aspects of its game.
Quite unlike that first encounter, C-NS began on a strong note, trading points with Liverpool until it inched out in front and claimed the opening set 25-23.
A long second set saw both sides squander several set points before the Warriors pulled it out 28-26 to draw even. However, Liverpool was now short-handed without one of its top front-line players, Elliott DeForge.
What was more, C-NS was avoiding the string of bad serves that nearly made the difference back in September, not giving away easy points to the Warriors.
A back-and-forth third set would get claimed by the Northstars in another 25-23 decision, and the fourth set was just as tight, but C-NS, by a 25-22 margin, was able to close it out.
Robbie Siechen piled up 50 assists to lead the Northstars, with Gabe LaRobardiere earning 21 kills, six blocks and seven digs as Reece Congel got 15 kills and eight blocks.
Carter King had nine kills and Peter Gill added six kills. Defensively, Joe Seliger managed 11 digs, C.J. Cartier had nine digs and Connor Heymann put up eight digs.
Liverpool had plenty of standouts, too. Anthony Pezzino amassed 26 kills, three blocks and nine digs, with Nolan Feidt nearly earning a triple-double as he got 17 kills, 20 digs and nine assists.
Quinn Moore dished out 44 assists, nearly equaling Siechen’s output while adding 13 digs as Jackson Furr got 27 digs. Jeremy LaManche contributed five kills and six digs.
