A special thank you goes to Visions Federal Credit Union for partnering with us to provide the greater Cortland County community with additional sports coverage
Cincinnatus girls volleyball team. (Photo provided by Timothy A. Bennett, Owner & Publisher of The Cortland Voice).
The No.1 seeded Cincinnatus Lady Lions defeated No.9 seed Manlius Pebble Hill (MPH) in the quarterfinal round of the Section III Class D playoff tournament Friday night. Cincinnatus won the match in three straight sets at Cincinnatus high school.
Manlius Pebble Hill handed Cincinnatus one of their two regular season losses in December. The gym was almost at full capacity from start to finish.
When asked what was different this time around against Manlius Pebble Hill, Cincinnatus head coach Teresa Merihew said, “we weren’t exhausted. We had late practices and multiple games. We were exhausted (last time)."
“Going into the beginning of the season we lost to MPH, so obviously there were some nerves there,” added Cincinnatus junior Cassia Schuyler. “We came into the game knowing that we were the better team and we had to get redemption.”
Cassia Schuyler.
Cincinnatus started the first set firing from all cylinders to win it 25-14.
Cincinnatus then ran into trouble in the middle of the second set, as they were down 11-7. However, the Lady Lions rallied back to win the set.
With much more confidence in their game, Cincinnatus flew through the third set to get their first sectional tournament victory this season.
“I think we played amazing,” Cincinnatus junior Allyson St.Germain said. “I think that we finally came together as a team, as we should, and we played how we normally do in practices when we don’t have a team against us. We scrimmage like that every single day. So I think we really pulled it together.”
Allyson St.Germain.
Not only did the Lady Lions get the win, but they also celebrated St.Germain’s 500th career kill at the end of the match, as Kaedence Latta set her up to spike the ball across the court.
“It feels good, especially having my best friend set me up,” said St.Germain. “I wish it could've been my sister, but having my best friend definitely gives me a really good feeling.”
Allyson’s sister Caitlyn St.Germain graduated high school in 2023, and also reached the 1,000 career assists milestone during her senior year.
Here is a score breakdown of the match:
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final |
| Cincinnatus | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| MPH | 14 | 21 | 13 | 0 |
Cincinnatus was led by Allyson St.Germain (13 kills, 7 digs & 4 aces), Kaedence Latta (3 digs, 14 assists & 1 ace), Payton Gerrard (3 kills, 7 digs & 1 ace), Cassia Schuyler (6 digs & 3 aces), Madison Stover (4 digs & 2 aces), Madelyn Pittsley (1 kill, 1 dig & 8 aces), Lucy Finch (3 kills), and Kayle Brenchley (1 dig).
MPH was led by India Clarry-Sohriakoff (41 digs, 5 assists & 2 aces), Laura Kinane (5 kills, 13 digs, 19 assists & 5 aces), Caroline Bernazzani (5 kills, 2 blocks & 7 digs), Emily Fadda-Conrey (8 kills, 5 digs, 1 assist & 3 aces), Mira Fadda-Conrey (5 kills, 8 digs & 6 aces), Nora McGee (1 kill, 7 blocks, 3 digs & 1 ace), Darby Gardner (2 kills & 8 digs), Gianni Benson (1 kill & 2 digs), and Gabby Range (1 dig).
“I am proud to be their coach,” stated coach Merihew after the match. “Cincy is awesome. The girls deserve every appellate they get. They’re a great group of girls, and they don’t know how to lose. I know I shouldn't say that, but you saw on that second set how far we were down, and we had to pull it out. I am just so proud of them.”
Cincinnatus' Cassia Schuyler (left) and Allyson St.Germain (right).
Up next, Cincinnatus is scheduled to host the semifinal round of the sectional tournament at Cincinnatus high school on Wednesday (February 14th) at 6pm. The Lady Lions will play the winner of the match between No.4 seed Old Forge and No.5 seed Stockbridge Valley.
The match between Old Forge and Stockbridge Valley will be played today (February 10th) at 1pm.
Here are some photos from Friday night’s match (photos provided by Timothy A. Bennett, Owner & Publisher of The Cortland Voice):
A special thank you goes to Visions Federal Credit Union for partnering with us to provide the greater Cortland County community with additional sports coverage
