CENTRAL NEW YORK – With 16 consecutive wins in the books, the Chittenango boys volleyball team knew that the 17th would be the last to attain in the regular season – and perhaps the most difficult.
The Bears would travel Friday to Vernon-Verona-Sherrill, where the Red Devils were eager to avenge a five-set defeat back on Jan. 28 when both sides were undefeated.
A close opening set went 25-23 in Chittenango’s favor, and that momentum carried over into the second set, the Bears easily taking it 25-17.
It nearly was a sweep – but since VVS prolonged the match by winning the third 27-25, Chittenango refocused and, in the fourth, pulled away to win 25-16 and complete its perfect regular-season run.
Aside from his 30 assists, Jake Simmons got eight kills, two blocks and four digs, joining a well-balanced front line.
Trevor Cole stepped up with 10 kills and seven digs. Josh Boulter also had seven digs to go with his nine kills as Micah Alperuto got six kills and 10 digs. Nate Dziedzic notched nine digs and Tyler Watson amassed seven blocks to go with his four kills.
Chittenango played twice in the lead-up to the VVS match, first battling Oneida Monday night. After a 25-19 win in the first set, the Bears saw the Indians pull out the second set 25-23 to get even, only to win again in 25-19 in the third and then pull away 25-17 in the fourth for its 15th straight win.
Simmons gained 36 assists, 10 digs and five kills. Alperuto, with 10 kills and nine digs, led a balanced front line as Dziedzic had nine kills and eight digs, with Boulter getting eight kills. Watson earned five kills and three blocks.
Sweeping Sauquoit Valley 25-18, 25-18, 25-17 two nights later, the Bears saw Dziedzic and Alperuto each earn eight kills and combine for 17 digs. Boulter and Cole had six kills apiece and got 15 digs between them, while Watson had five kills and two blocks. Simmons fed all of it with 29 assists while also earning five kills.
