Despite still being plagued by injuries, the Middlesex varsity volleyball squad put together three quality sets against Nobles' team, whose offense was dominated by their strong outside hitter, Amy Duggan '16.

In the first set, Middlesex came out swinging, with a kill by outside hitter Lily Renneker '17 off the assist by Abby Meyers '16, followed shortly by a tough dig by libero Nina Huttemann '18 to Leyla Hotamisligil '18 for the kill by opposite hitter Ariana Odom '17 for a big sideout. Lily then rotated to the back row, where she promptly dished up an ace on her jump serve. A few plays later, Nina dug up another tough hit by Duggan to Abby, who set up a kill by team captain, middle hitter Rose-Marie Fuchs '15. Another big kill by Ari later in the set, again off a dig by Nina for the assist by Leyla, kept Middlesex competitive. But the Zebras seemed off-balance and had trouble getting into their rhythm, losing the first set 13-25.

The second set looked better offensively for MX, as our setters adjusted and our hitters came alive: several kills by middle hitter Lydia Paddock '17 off of a dig by Nina for the assist by Leyla; kills by Avery Light '18 off of Leyla's assists; kills by Ari off of Leyla's assist; and kills by Lily assisted by Abby, all helped to keep Middlesex neck and neck with Nobles through most of the set. But as the offense came alive, the Zebras' usually consistent serves fell flat; the girls gave up too many missed serves and came up short 17-25.

 
In the third set, Middlesex began to show some fatigue: too many tight passes compromised the setters' ability to get the ball in play for our hitters. Some major highlights included seeing Lydia go up for a big block on Duggan, more aced serves by Lily, Lydia, and by Avery, and more kills by Rose-Marie off of Abby's assist. The third set ended 13-25.

Middlesex continues on the road in the final week of their season, facing BB&N on Saturday, November 1, and St. Paul's on Friday, November 7.