Oneida swept by Fulton in Class A volleyball semi-final match
In the Class A semi-final match that was played this Wednesday between Oneida and Fulton at Jamesville-Dewitt, the latter was able to emerge as victor. This came as a bit of a personal blow to Oneida, as they had also lost to Fulton in last year’s Class A championship match. Despite their efforts upon winning, history repeated itself in a match that went on till four sets. At the end of the game, the score board showed final set scores of 25-22, 25-17, 19-25, 25-12.
Oneida started each set with determination and spirit but both tended to be lost in the middle of the game. In the first set of the match, the Tri-Valley League champion was able to manage a commendable lead of 17-9. Oneida player, Paige Pendleton, who was able to make a team high nine kills, made five of them during a run for this first lead. The Raiders did not did not let Oneida take this lead far and pulled up the score to 18-12. At this point, Oneida lost its focus and Fulton was able to dominate the match by making a 11-3 link that gave the Raiders a crucial lead. The set eventually ended in favour of Fulton at 25-22.
Rejuvenated, Oneida took the lead again at the start of the second set at 5-2. This time around, Fulton did not let them take it far and got control of the set quickly. The Raiders went on a 5-0 run that put Oneida under pressure. They still put up a fight but it wasn’t enough as Fulton successfully claimed the second set as their own with a brilliant played 12-3 run. It sealed the deal for the Raiders and the match ended in their favour at 25-17.
With two sets lost, the pressure mounted considerably on the Oneida players who were able to respond well to it. As usual, Oneida took the lead early on. Shannon Downing’s ace helped her team give the jump start they needed. All through the set, Fulton was never able to threaten Oneida, who eventually won the third set quite comfortably at 25-19.
The loss of the third set gave the Raiders a wakeup call that seemed determined not to relent at any point in the game. Erika Johnson played an indispensible part in securing the win for her team by registering consecutive aces that pushed the Raiders forwards on a 7-0 run. This gave Fulton a much required lead of 13-4 and put tremendous pressure on Oneida. Responding to it, Oneida managed to bring the score up to 16-10, but that was all the team could do. Fulton went on an eight point run and finished off with a 25-12 score.
As of now, Fulton moves on to the finals as Oneida head back home.
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