Oneida tops Jamesville-DeWitt to advance

Doubles dominance continues while Skibitski sisters stay unbeaten

Oneida and JamesvilleDeWitt have met several times in recent years in the Section III Class B girls tennis playoffs. Most of those meetings came in the final and many ended in favor of the Red Rams.

Monday’s showdown between the two traditional powerhouses was neither in the final nor a success for coach Yong Sul’s No. 8 seed.

Coach Todd Hicks’ No. 1 seeded squad won 6-1 on its home court in the quarterfinal match and is now two victories away from a third straight sectional title and second undefeated season in three years.

Oneida improved to 17- 0 this season with the victory and won its 26th straight match dating back to last fall. Lexi and Lauren Skibitski entered Monday’s match with perfect records in second and third doubles, respectively, and Oneida also had not dropped a doubles match this fall. Those streaks remained in tact in the

the victory. The doubles teams were once again dominant, starting with second and third doubles. Claire Mancarella and Jenna Russ posted a quick 6-1, 6-1 victory over Maggie Manion and Natalie Alweis while Julianna Cavanagh and Kylie Chesebro beat Diamond Cole and Katie Tsivanis 6- 0, 6-2 to give the hosts two quick points.

Jillian Brodock and Samantha Lusher struggled early in both sets against J-D’s Kim and Mai Driesen, twice falling behind 1- 0. The two Oneida seniors didn’t panic and rallied both times for a 6-2, 6-1 victory and Oneida’s third point.

The Red Rams’ lone point came from Maya Pollack in first singles. Pollack handed Oneida’s Brianna Laureti a 6-1, 6- 0 loss to get J-D on the board.

It would, however, be the only point for the No. 8 seed. Julia Skeval gave Lauren Skibitski a good match in third singles, keeping the first set close before eventually falling 6- 4. The Oneida freshman didn’t have nearly as much trouble in the second set and won 6-1, taking the team’s matchclinching fourth point on a double fault.

Lexi Skibitski also had her hands full with Jungyun Kim. Oneida’s senior second singles player showed off her athleticism on a long volley on deuce in the first game, taking the point and a 1- 0 lead when Kim’s hit fell short of the net. Skibitski went on to win the first set but Kim rallied back to take the second. Leading 1- 0 in the third and deciding set, Skibitski again raced around the court on deuce and hit an excellent lob shot over Kimat the net to take the point. She went on to win 6- 0, clinching her match by winning a long point on deuce.

Deanna DiFabio and Anna Hood closed out the match by winning Oneida’s final point. The duo dropped the first game but wouldn’t lose another, winning 6-1, 6- 0 to finish off the victory.

Oneida returns to the court on Wednesday when it is scheduled to host a semifinal match between the winner of No. 4 Homer and No. 5 South Jefferson.

KYLE MENNIG - ONEIDA DAILY DISPACH Oneida’s Claire Mancarella hits a shot at the net during a second doubles match against JamesvilleDeWitt’s Maggie Mannion and Natalie Alweis in the Section III Class B quarterfinals in Oneida on Monday.

KYLE MENNIG - ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Oneida’s Lexi Skibitski moves in to return the ball to JamesvilleDeWitt’s Jungyn Kim during their second singles match in the Section III Class B quarterfinals in Oneida on Monday.

KYLE MENNIG - ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Oneida’s Julianna Cavanagh leaves her feet to return a shot from Jamesville-DeWitt’s Diamond Cole and Katie Tsivanis during their third doubles match in the Section III Class B quarterfinals in Oneida on Monday.