SKANEATELES - The Skaneateles volleyball team needed someone lead the way in the Section III, Class B quarterfinals game with Mount Markham on Friday.

Senior Chloe Warner did just that as she helped the second-seeded Lakers defeat the No. 10 Mustangs 3-0 to advance to the semifinals against the winner of Solvay and Lowville in Chittenango on Wednesday. Warner finished with a team-high 22 assists and eight aces as they won 25-23, 25-10, 25-14.

“We had a little nervousness to win,” Warner said.

All it took was for the Lakers to pick up a few points to get on a roll.

“Unfortunately that's kind of our M.O.,” Lakers coach Doreen Doctor said. “We have to stop coming out slow.”

The Lakers seemed intimidated by Mustangs middle hitter Jenna Farruggia. Farruggia was the main force for the Mustangs in the first game when she got the momentum on their side, but the Lakers slowly crawled back, down 18-12 at one point, to eventually tie the score 22-22. The Mustangs took a key time out as they sensed the Lakers warming up. That gave Doctor time to get her team in the right mood.

“I said to them ‘Are you done panicking?',” she said. “Now let's go play volleyball.'”

That's when they were able to do what they do best - pass the ball around for points. That may have been the Lakers' turning point in the first match. They also had help when Farruggia had a chance to take control for Mont Markham, but never capitalized.

“Volleyball is a game of mistakes,” Doctor said. “Sometimes you capitalize on the other teams mistakes. You want to go out and make your own run. That really helped. I think that's when the girls realized it's not just her they were playing against.”

Part of it starts from the closeness the team shares.

“We have amazing chemistry,” Warner said. “I've never been on a team this close.”

When the Lakers found themselves down, they weren't surprised that they fought back and took control of the match.

“We're so close,” Lakers senior Leigh Ryan said. “That's so important if you lack chemistry you have no support for anyone.”

Their ability to stick together despite a slow start is evident as they communicate on the court, but Warner's biggest contribution came as the server.

“That was so key when she was serving for us,” Doctor said. “She kept the ball in and showed her leadership. We needed that. I think that kind of calmed us down.”

Junior Ryan Merle led the Lakers with seven kills and three blocks. Katherine Hill finished with four kills and a team-high 13 digs, while Ryan had nine digs. Alexa Campanile finished with six kills and one block, while Emily Wood had six kills.

With several couple of days to prepare for the next challenge, their minds are still set on the section goal they set before the season.

“They want to win Section III,” Doctor said. “I told them in the beginning of the year they have the talent and tolls too. Now we just have to execute.”

That's all Skaneateles can do now is execute. And that's something they should be able to do against either Solvay, whom the Lakers have beaten twice this season, or Lowville, whom they haven't played.

“I'm guessing Lowville is defensive orientated,” Doctor said. “We've seen Solvay. They are a good all-around team.”

Heading into their match-up they won't do anything special except worry about execution during the game.

“Whoever does that the best will win,” Doctor said. “That's what it comes down to.”

Lakers 3

Mustangs 0