On Tuesday October 11, the Middlesex Varsity Volleyball squad traveled to Wellesley, Mass. to face the undefeated Dragons of Dana Hall in a non-league contest between two of the top Class B teams in New England. The match featured scrappy play and resolute defense by both sides, and it was filled with plenty of long rallies that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. Ultimately the Zebras prevailed, 3-2, relying on a combined thirty-five kills from Avery Light '18 and co-captain Lydia Paddock '17.
Middlesex was caught off guard at the start of the match, as they appeared to still be shaking off the weariness from the bus trip, and they gave up some points early to missed passes and other unforced errors. Still, they managed to stay in the set, putting together rallies: libero Nina Huttemann '18 dug up a tough hit to setter Defne Colak '18 for the kill in the middle by Lydia to put Middlesex on the board, and then another pass by Nina to Defne set up a kill by opposite Hadley Jevon '19. Defne mixed up the offense, next setting up a crushing kill by outside hitter Avery to tie the score 4-4. The teams continued to trade sideouts for much of the set, with the score staying tight. An aced serve by middle hitter Mimi Larrieux '18 brought the score to 8-8, and then a few plays later, a quality hit by Hadley forced an error by the Dragons to put the Zebras on top for the first time, 12-11.The score stayed close throughout the set, up until when it was tied 22-22. Then three consecutive unforced errors by Middlesex ended the set in Dana Hall's favor, 22-25.
With the Middlesex team now fully warm and motivated to elevate their level of play, the momentum of the second set shifted and stayed firmly in their favor. Hitters were finding their groove, and servers were in the zone. Outside hitter and co-captain Lily Renneker '17 had a solid service run early on that included a couple of aces to help establish Middlesex's early lead, which they would slowly but surely extend throughout the set. Defensive specialist Stephanie Li '17 sent a perfect serve receive to Defne who set up the kill by Mimi to reach set point, and then a hitting error by Dana Hall after Avery's aggressive topspin serve ended the set 25-14, Middlesex.
The third set opened with a nice run of serves by Defne, who dished up a pair of aces and set up a kill by Lydia before siding out. The Middlesex front row found their timing, and had a number of solid blocks to help set up the defense. The set ended the way it began, with aggressive serving, as Hadley aced the final serve and ended the third 25-18.
Dana Hall was not to be beaten so easily, however-- they were not willing to let their undefeated season go without a fight-- and the fourth set was as scrappy as the first. Dana Hall established a small lead at the beginning of the set, which put Middlesex on their back foot having to play catch-up for the remainder of the set. Eventually Dana Hall made it to set point, and with the score 18-24, the Zebras earned the side out and Avery rotated back to serve. After a heroic run of three consecutive aces, Middlesex lost the point and the set ended 22-25, Dana Hall.
Determined to bring home the win and encouraged by the cheering of the Middlesex JV team, who joined the crowd after their own victory against Dana Hall's JV, the Zebras came out swinging in the deciding fifth set. A pair of back-to-back kills by Avery put Middlesex on top 4-1, and Dana Hall was never able to overcome this deficit. More back-to-back kills, this time in the middle by Lydia assisted by Defne via Nina's digs, brought the score to 14-10, and at match point, Lily dished up the ace to end the fifth set 15-10, Middlesex.
Middlesex (10-1, 7-0 ISL) will travel to Weston, Mass., on Friday, October 14 to face ISL opponent Rivers at 3:45pm.
