The Middlesex varsity volleyball team hosted Thayer Academy on Saturday, winning in three strong sets with contributions from the entire squad. Middlesex came out strong in the first, with a couple of aces by Leyla Hotamisligil '18. After losing the serve, Leyla set up two kills in a row, first to opposite hitter Ari Odom '17, then to outside Avery Light '18. The entire team managed to score, including libero Nina Huttemann '18 on a well-placed free ball. The final third of the set was dominated by Lily Renneker '17, who served for six consecutive points, and by the three freshmen of the team, who put together three kills as a group with digs by Nina '18 to setter Leyla '18 for the kill by Avery '18. The final point of the set was scored off a kill by captain Rose-Marie Fuchs '15, as the team finished 25-14.
 
The second set showcased the overall consistency of the Zebras' serves, with aces by Leyla, Abby Meyers '16, and Sarah Ong '16. The Zebras continued to work hard at the net, as Lydia Paddock '17 and Alyssa McNally '16 had a double block to end a particularly dramatic rally. Lydia ended the second set by winning a battle at the net, finally blocking an off-speed hit and finishing the set 25-13.
 
Strong passing and serving continued to dominate in the third and final set, with still more aces by Leyla, Lily, and Lydia. Setter Maile Cowell '17 brought the Zebras to game point with a well-placed dump on a scramble play, and Leyla ended the third 25-13 with her final ace of match.
 
The Zebras hit the road this week and look forward to away games at Lawrence on Wednesday, October 1 at 3:00 PM and at Winchendon on Friday, October 3 at 3:00 PM.