Saranac Lake's volleyball team celebrate's its third-straight Section VII, Class C crown after topping AuSable Valley 3-0 Saturday. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

PICKETTS CORNERS — The Saranac Lake volleyball team won its third straight Section VII title with a 3-0 sweep of AuSable Valley in Saturday’s Class C championship match at Saranac Central School.

The two teams split during the regular season, each winning tight contests on their home courts. But with their goal of a three-peat on the line, the Red Storm made sure things weren’t going to be as close in the rubber match. Saranac Lake won by scores of 25-6, 25-22 and 25-14.

After going 1-1 and battling for every point with AuSable Valley during Champlain Valley Athletic Conference play, Saranac Lake was wary of a very solid Patriots’ defense heading into the title match. The Red Storm took care of business with solid play, a poised performance, a lot of well-placed shots and very good serving.

Saranac Lake’s lineup combined for 10 aces, and Meagan O’Brien led the way with four. She also chipped in nine points. Katie Gay had three aces, 10 point, six kills and 14 digs, and her sister Madie finished with a team-high 12 points, along with 11 digs, and ace and three kills.

Defensive specialist Sydney Andronica owned the back line again for the Red Storm, finishing with 45 digs. She also chipped in two aces and five points.

Kelsey Leeret finished with an ace, 11 digs and 10 points in the win, and teammate Tailor Whitson had one ace, two digs and three points.

Saranac Lake improved to 14-4 overall with the win and next play Saturday in Beekmantown in a regional playoff match. The Patriots, who made their first trip to the final in six years, finished with an 8-8 record.

—

Northern Adirondack 3, Lake Placid 0

Two seasons ago, Northern Adirondack ended Lake Placid’s run of five straight Section VII, Class D volleyball titles when in took down the Blue Bombers in the championship match. Lake Placid wrestled the title back last from the Bobcats last fall, and our Saturday, NAC was the team coming out on top.

In what has become a competitive rivalry between the only two Class D teams in Section VII, NAC claimed the sweep by 26-24, 25-13 and 25-16 scores in the first of three championship matches played during a volleyball triple header at Saranac Central.

The teams split their two regular season matches, and in the championship final, the Bobcats turned in the better performance on the way to the title.

The Blue Bombers took early leads in all three games but were unable to hold on each time.

Lake Placid coach Sandy Huber said her team especially had a tough time fielding serves from Bobcats’ senior Anna Brown, who finished with a match-high 14 points and nine aces. Elyse Hogan chipped in 13 points in the win, and Cora Barnaby led NAC at the net with eight kills.

For Lake Placid: Karis Hudson had 4 points, 2 aces, 6 digs and 1 assist; Sara McKillip had 4 points, 1 ace, 1 kill and 8 digs; Grace Crawford had 3 points, 2 aces, 1 kills, 1 block and 12 digs; Evelyn Sharp finished with 2 points, 4 kills, 6 digs, 2 blocks and 6 assists; Deidra Kellerman finished with 3 kills and 1 block; Dylan Bashaw registered 1 point, 2 aces, 6 kills, 5 digs, 1 block and 3 assists; and Isabella Armstrong added 3 points, 4 aces, 1 kills and 5 digs.