Waterville varsity volleyball opened the season last week with two games vs. New York Mills.
Because some schools opted to play volleyball in the Spring, the opponent pool runs a bit shallow. Still, the teams played two five-set games, with the Indians taking both 3-2.
The Indians opened the season with a 3-2 win over New York Mills. Waterville won the last three games 25-11, 26-24 and 25-18 after dropping the first two 25-14 and 25-17.
In the second meeting, Waterville started strong, with Kerrigan Tilbe serving up several early points to help the Indians jump out 22-11. They won the first match 25-14.
New York Mills came back to tie it up in a closer contest until pulling away after a 10-all tie. Lillian Broedel won some points at the net with hard to hit sendbacks.
Broedel did so again in the third set as the Indians led through most of it, but usually not by a lot. Two Broedel spikes made it 23-17 before the Marauders closed to 23-20.
Emma Boice made a nice save and net return before an ace gave Waterville the match 25-20.
Despite a 4-0 start, Waterville fell behind in the fourth and the visitors won 25-15.
The deciding match played close as well, with an 7-all tie until Waterville, which never trailed, broke it and led 10-9, 12-10 and 13-11.
From there, the Indians surged, helped by strong net play by Erin Iles, Amy Lakata, Lydia Snow and Alivia Neff. Kaitlyn Richmond served up a couple of points in the 25-18 win.
Waterville fell to 2-1 with a 3-0 loss to Remsen. The Rams won 25-4, 25-20 and 25-12.