ONONDAGA COUNTY – For the second time in as many weeks, the Liverpool girls volleyball team found itself in a decisive fifth set against a main league rival.
Here, though, it did not turn out well for the Warriors, who lost last Wednesday to Fayetteville-Manlius in a clash of two of the SCAC Metro division front-runners.
Though it lost the first set 25-19, Liverpool appeared to get control when it emerged from a close second set 25-22 and controlled the third 25-18 to move out in front.
Only a few points from victory, though, the Warriors could not grab it. Instead, F-M pulled out the fourth 25-23 and would take the final-set race to 15 points in a narrow 15-13 decision, despite 22 assists from Addie Tanton and 16 assists from Allyson Crandall.
Lauren Poland put up 12 kills, Elliana Vangelov had 11 kills and Madison Ames got 10 kills to go with her 20 digs. Sarah LaTocha added six kills as, on the back line, Sarah Daniel managed 30 digs and Lily Correll 13 digs to go with four kills and two blocks.
Cicero-North Syracuse was still trying to recuperate from a five-set defeat to Liverpool on Sept. 13 where it led 2-0 sets before the Warriors rallied to win in five.
Ellie Blumer earned 15 assists, 11 digs and eight kills against Liverpool. Kendall Rumble had 16 assists, with Allison Navarra adding 20 digs.
On the front line, Grace Murray managed 12 kills and 13 digs, with Piper Adams and Grace Turrell each earning six kills as Rumble also earned four kills and three blocks.
Yet when C-NS faced Baldwinsville last Tuesday night, it could not hold on to two different leads in a frustrating five-set defeat to the Bees.
Both the first and third sets belonged to C-NS by impressive 25-15 margins. Each time, though, the Bees quickly turned it around, winning the seconds 25-19 and the fourth 25-16.
What was more, in the decisive set and its race to 15 points, it didn’t last long. B’ville gained the serve and kept earning points until it had won 15-4.
By doing so, the Bees overcame 17 assists from Rumble and Blumer as Rumble added 11 digs and Adams 10 digs to go with eight kills. Murray had nine kills and nine digs and Allison Navarra amassed 28 digs.
Two nights later, C-NS was able to win, sweeping Oswego 25-19, 25-16, 25-17. Sarah Dobbins had seven kills and Murray added six kills, with Blumer getting five kills to go with 19 assists and Rumble helping with 10 asssits.
A 25-23, 27-25, 25-17 loss to Westhill followed on Friday, C-NS staying close in the first two sets, but unable to get the key late points. Adams and Murray had six kills apiece, combining for 18 digs as Navarra got 22 digs, Rumble had 11 assists and Blumer added six assists.
C-NS takes its turn against West Genesee Tuesday and, two nights later, Liverpool challenges Baldwinsville before they headed to Saturday’s Fall Fling Tournament at B’ville.
