That was the case all evening as Oneida staged numerous rallies only to see the more consistent hosts use great defense to pull out the league win.

"It bothers people thinking (a hit) is down," VVS coach Jim Burton said.

And it wasn't just the 15 digs Mike Blair had to lead the hosts that loomed large. Ryan Matt had 10, Shane Sullivan nine to show great balance. Smith had 15 assists and Todd Brown added 13 to show depth at that position and Mark Dixon had 11 kills to lead the way hitting, though five teammates also had multiple kills.

"I thought we looked good," Burton said as his team improved to 9-2 in the league, 16-2 overall heading into Monday's make-up match with unbeaten Living Word Academy then the playoffs after that. "I stuck with my seniors all the way through."

And the seniors paid off with key plays in each game. Dixon had a great off balance kill and Jordan Johnson had a block on Oneida's Garrett Mutz to key the win in Game 1. Mutz had a kill and a block to help Oneida (5-7, 9-9) go ahead 4-1 in the next game but Ryan Matt's block and kills by Johnson, Dixon and Sayles rallied the hosts to a 20-10 lead. Game 3 was back and forth until VVS led 16-14. Shane Sullivan tipped through a double block to start a 6-0 run and Dixon capped the night with a kill.

"We spread out our offense very well," Burton said.
Mutz had eight kills, Alex Fratini added six and Jesse Christian had five to lead Oneida's hitters. David Watson had 12 assists.

Oneida (5-7, 9-9): Jeff Barres 1k, 2b, 6d; Blake Biggar 1d; Jesse Christian 8as, 5k, 1b, 3d; Alex Fratini 1as, 6k, 1b, 7d; Jonathan Lashomb 1as; Pat McLaughlin 3k; Aaron Meyers 1as, 1k, 4d; Garrett Mutz 1ac, 8k, 1b, 9d; David Watson 12as, 4k, 6d.

VVS (9-2, 16-2): Mike Blair 1ac, 15d; Todd Brown 13as; Mark Dixon 11k, 1b; Jordan Johnson 4k, 3b; Justin Loboda 1k; Ryan Matt 7k, 2b, 10d; Matt Sayles 3k; Justin Smith 15as, 8k, 1b; Shane Sullivan 6k, 1b, 9d.