Hometown Volleyball Match Recap – South Side

By: Bruce Markey
Friday, September 12, 2014 | 11:40 AM

South Side (3-1) got off to a hot start en route to a 3-0 (25-9, 28-26, 25-19) victory over Northgate (1-2) on Thursday night in Hookstown.

The Rams were paced by Senior Outside Hitter Alexis Dhayer, who led all players with nine kills in the match, despite not playing for most of the second set.

But it was South Side’s quick and streaky start that propelled the Rams the most, as they stormed to a 25-9 first set victory. In the opening set, South Side started on a 5-0 run, then were led by serving specialist Lena Pieto, who helped rattle off eight-straight points, giving the Rams a 13-2 lead. A 4-0 run moments later would help South Side run away with the first set.

But the second set was far different than the first, as South Side Coach Jason Benkowski elected to sit Dahyer and Middle Hitter Cheyenne Seik in lieu of younger, less experienced players. Northgate would push the younger Rams, despite South Side jumping out to a 6-1 lead. The set would take extra points, as South Side would squander three different set points. In the end though, the Rams would prevail 28-26.

With Dhayer and Seik back in, the Rams would not struggle as much in the third and final set and, despite a feverish comeback attempt by Northgate, would prevail 25-19.

The Rams were helped out by excellent service, recording 18 aces to Northgate’s four. Seik contributed seven aces and Toni Yacoviello would add five in the win. The majority of Northgate’s scoring was on South Side errors. Lauren Kennelly and Imani Roberts each had two kills in the match.

South Side will next travel to Cornell, while Northgate will return home to face Rochester. Both matches will take place next Tuesday.