CORTLAND — There was another pizza party in Cortland Thursday evening. Lakeview concessions handed out pizza in honor of another victory for the Bulldog volleyball team. Lakeview defeated Girard in straight sets, 25-17, 25-18, 25-19, to improve its record to 14-4 on the season.

“It was just a great game all around,” Lakeview coach Heather Guthrie said. “Both teams are really good. They’re scrappy and we don’t take them lightly. Girard was digging us, and they had a great defense tonight.”

From the start of the first set Bulldog senior Bianca Naples’ leadership was on display. Naples led Lakeview with 8 kills and 2 blocks. After winning the first set, Lakeview had a commanding 17-10 lead in set two, thanks to big spikes from Naples and fellow senior Lexi Inman. Inman led the Bulldogs with 15 service points, 11 digs, and 3 aces.

Lakeview junior Anna Peterson put the perfect touch on the ball to drop it over the net and away from the Girard (13-6, 10-2) defense.

Inman began the third set with an ace for Lakeview, but Girard senior Natalie Pallone wasn’t about to gift wrap this victory for the Bulldogs. Pallone, who led Girard with 15 digs, 11 kills, and 3 blocks, was a one-woman wrecking crew at the beginning of the third. Her booming spike, which echoed through the gymnasium, gave the Indians a 3-2 lead. Pallone then served, and her ace put Girard up 6-2.

“Natalie is a great leader on and off the court,” second-year Girard coach Chelsea Guerrieri said. ” She’ll be going to college at Edinboro to play volleyball next year. Last year, she was our team MVP. She was voted first-team All-Conference, and All-District. She held her own tonight.

“Lakeview served tough. We really struggled passing. They are a good team. They’re very smart. Throughout the game, their serving is kind of what did us in. We couldn’t keep up, but I’m very proud of my girls.”