East Syracuse-Minoa’s girls volleyball team came within inches of surrendering a 2-0 lead in games to Jamesville-DeWitt Monday night, only to pull out a five-game victory over the Red rams in the season’s most exciting match to date. Both teams came into the match with 2-0 records, and they played on close terms through each of the first two games. However, the Spartans went out in front and won those games by equal 25-21 margins. J-D would not surrender, though. It took control in the third game and won it, 25-18, and that momentum carried over into the fourth game as the Rams prevailed 25-20 to even the match at two games apiece. So it all rode on the fifth game. Again, J-D played strong, but ESM recovered just in time and, by a slim 25-23 margin, took the match. Paige Holt paced the Spartans with 18 assists, plus three aces. On a deep front line, Charlotte Visser and Danielle Steigerwald each had seven kills, while Mallory Martino had five kills and four aces. Laura Adams had six aces and four kills as Tiffany Kolod (five aces) and Norlene Remoliata (three aces), helped, too. On J-D’s side, Michelle Dalallah had a fine all-around effort with 22 assists, seven kills and three aces. Ally Lowey had nine kills and seven aces, while Alyssa Miller mixed in six kills and six assists. Diana Casinella, Jocelyn Shibley and Jessica Butler each got four kills, with Butler adding four blocks. As this went on, Christian Brothers Academy improved to 2-1, sweeping Mexico 25-17, 25-19, 25-14. Lianna Artessa had eight kills, four blocks and four aces, as Emily Norkett (five kills) and Kara Modliszewski (four kills) helped out. Alex Horowitch gained 18 assists. Jesse Bongiovanni added six assists.