That chance would come Tuesday night, when the Northstars meet no. 1 seed Baldwinsville, nearly a week after CNS handled Central Square in last Wednesday’s AA semifinal round.
It appeared that the Northstars took early control when it won the opening game 25-17, but the Red Hawks rallied and pulled out the second game, 25-23, to draw even.
CNS then controlled the third game, winning it 25-16, before a tense fourth game where, despite the mounting pressure, the Northstars prevailed 25-22 to advance to the finals.
Jim Coleman camped out on the back line and piled up 48 assists, averaging 12 assists per game. Eric Munoz turned many of Coleman’s passes into points, as he got 23 kills. C.J. Patzer, Collin Crooks and Tyler A. Smith each finished with eight kills, as Patzer added six blocks. In defeat, Central Square saw Mike Brandt earn 17 kills and Corey Allen get 26 assists.
B’ville swept Fayetteville-Manlius in the other semifinal, and the Northstars will have to find a way to contain Bees star Pete Cuppernull, who just announced that he is going to George Mason University for volleyball next fall.
