ONONDAGA COUNTY – Fresh off a solid run in the Sept. 10 Fayetteville-Manilus Tournament, the Cicero-North Syracuse girls volleyball team at least placed itself right behind Baldwinsville in the early league race.

It was important for the Northstars to try and knock off defending sectional champion Fayetteville-Manlius last Friday night, but it could not do so.

The Hornets prevailed 25-22, 25-10, 25-17 behind 17 kills from Kaylene Nobel, 11 kills from Kalyna Dannenberg and 28 assists from Zoe Myint, who also got 12 digs.

On C-NS’s side, only Maddy Howell provided much power, getting eight kills. None of her teammates had more than two kills as Elle Blumer had seven assists and Marissa Baker had six assists.

Before this, C-NS was impressive against West Genesee last Monday, taking the first two sets 25-18 and 25-11 before a close third set that the Northstars won 26-24 to pull off the sweep.

Blumer, with 11 assists, and Baker, with nine assists, fed a front line where Maddy Howell, with 12 kills, led the way. Grace Murray got eight kills and Karley Eymer had six kills as Allison Navarra dominated on defense, managing 18 digs. Eymer added six digs.

Liverpool had little trouble in last Monday’s match with Nottingham, taking the first set 25-3 before sweeping the Bulldogs 25-7 and 25-12. Lola Sageer picked up five kills, with Allyson Crandall getting five assists and Mya Vallat earning three aces.

But when the Warriors faced West Genesee two nights later, it lost in four sets, taking the second 25-18 after dropping the opener 25-23.

The Wildcats then won the next two sets, 25-19 and 25-18, overcoming 12 kills from Sophie Sageer and 10 kills from Lola Sageer, the pair getting three aces apiece. Madison Ames had four kills as Sophie Sageer earned 14 digs and Addie Tanton managed 12 digs.