ONONDAGA COUNTY – On their way to Section III championships in separate classes a season ago, the Marcellus and Skaneateles girls volleyball teams both experienced epic victories in five-set matches that included comebacks.
So it only figured than, when the rivals went head-to-head Monday night, it would take five sets to decide and that the Mustangs, to beat the Lakers, had to rally to do so.
All of it began with a classic first set where both sides had multiple chances to claim the set, only to squander them before, at 28-28, Marcellus got the serve back and was able to win it, 30-28.
This allowed the Mustangs to absorb Skaneateles taking the second set 25-20 and 25-19, moving out in front, but still wondering if it had missed its chance to win the match outright.
Marcellus then won the fourth 25-18, leading to a final-set race to 15 where, again, the lead constantly switched hands. One match point was squandered.
Finally, at 14-14, the Mustangs gained the serve and won it, 16-14, led by sophomore Chloe Kutruff, who amassed 38 assists to go with four aces and 10 digs.
Elle DeMarie, with 12 kills and six blocks, led a front line where Sarah Louer and Bryn Goldsworthy each had 10 kills and combined for 43 digs. Bella Palen added seven kills as Lauren Mahler got 25 digs and Willow Stahl 13 digs to go with four aces.
Skaneateles saw Kate Raddant get 14 kills and 16 digs, with Ayla Pas’cal adding 10 kills. Katie Combs and Bella Shoenborn had five kills apiece, combining to earn 25 digs.
Maddy Bender had 20 assists and 19 digs, with Alice Bender getting 15 assists and 17 digs. Mia Franciamone finished with 13 digs.
Both teams won their next matches, Marcellus sweeping Homer and Skaneateles topping Mexico in four sets.
The Mustangs’ 25-21, 25-20, 25-16 win over the Trojans featured 24 assists from Kuttruff. Louer and Goldsworthy each had eight kills and combined for 35 digs as Mahler earned 17 digs and Hopper had four kills. Palen and DeMarie earned three blocks apiece.
Against Mexico, the Lakers prevailed in four sets 25-16, 24-26, 25-13, 25-10, taking over after the Tigers pulled even in the second.
Alice Bender set a career mark with 13 aces, part of a triple-double that included 14 assists and 13 digs. Maddy Bender finished with 15 assists and 10 digs.
Up front, Pas’cal got nine kills and six blocks, while Raddant and Shoenborn had five kills apiece, Raddant also picking up eight digs. Mia Franciamone added six digs.
