BATAVIA – The St. Charles East girls volleyball team played like a team that knows it’s the time on the season’s calendar to find another gear.

The Saints made quick work of Batavia on Tuesday, defeating the Bulldogs, 25-18, 25-11 in Upstate Eight Conference River play. East’s victory and Geneva’s win against Larkin means the winner of the Saints-Vikings match next Tuesday will become the conference champion.

“The past two weeks we’ve been really buckling down at practice, going a lot longer hours and tougher practices,” East senior defensive specialist Nikki Luczynski said. “I think we’re playing a lot better. Hopefully it pays off even longer down the road.”