On Tuesday October 4th, the Varsity Volleyball team trekked to the Massachusetts north shore after a long school day for an evening match featuring two of the top three teams in the ISL. Despite fatigue, Middlesex managed to bring home the win, defeating Governor's Academy 3-1.
Middlesex struggled initially to find their groove in the first set, falling behind early due to unforced errors. When libero Nina Huttemann stepped in to serve, though, her aggressive jump float flummoxed the Gov's receivers, earning three aces. When Gov's did manage to return the serve, a block by outside hitter Avery Light '18 and middle blocker Mimi Larrieux '18 were there to challenge, and then a great dig by co-captain and outside hitter Lily Renneker '17 to setter Leyla Hotamisligil '18 set up a kill by Mimi, finally putting the Zebras on top 10-9. Setter and right side hitter Defne Colak '18 extended the lead with her serve, earning another ace, while Mimi continued to challenge Governor's front row, coming up with another big block. Leyla's strong serve (with yet another ace) brought the Zebras to 23-17, and an error by Gov's was followed by a strong cross court kill by Avery from Leyla's set to finish the set 25-17.
In the second set, Middlesex struggled to maintain the same momentum, contending against a lot of crowd noise and some tough calls, challenges which led to a lot of unforced errors, including some missed first serves-- uncharacteristic of this team. After a fairly even scoreline to start the set, Governor's opened up a four point lead at 5-9, which Middlesex spent the majority of the set trying to close. A big kill by opposite Hadley Jevon '19 pulled Middlesex back within range at 17-19, but then the team unravelled with another run of errors, and the second set ended 18-25 in Governor's favor.
The Zebras showed their grit in the third set, however, and came out determined to play as a team despite their frustration and fatigue. Hadley put Middlesex on the board first with a kill off of Defne's assist from Avery's perfect serve receive, and then a pair of blocks by co-captain and middle blocker Lydia Paddock '17 put Middlesex up 3-0. This set featured many strong rallies, with blocks by both Mimi and Lydia and great defense by the back row, and Middlesex maintained the lead throughout the set. Mimi began to jump serve, which proved troublesome for Governor's to return resulting in a five point run that put Middlesex further ahead at 23-15 before Governor's finally were able to earn the sideout. After a small run by the home team and a trade of sideouts, the set ended with a well-placed ball by Lily, 25-20.
The fourth set was decisive, as Middlesex pulled into an early 7-2 lead with a long serving run by Lily, who earned a pair of aces with her topspin serve. When Gov's managed to return it, our defense was ready, and a great dig by Lily to Leyla set up a kill down the line by Avery to end a long rally. With both teams tiring, it was now Governor's struggling to put together plays and having to catch up against a re-energized Middlesex team. Other highlights included quick hits by both middle hitters assisted by Defne from Nina's perfect pass. Mimi then helped to extend Middlesex's lead to 20-7 with four aces off of her jump float serve leaving Governor's with a mountain to climb. Shortly thereafter, Lily stepped up to serve with a 22-11 lead and produced another strong service run ending the set 25-11.
This win brings Middlesex's overall record to 7-1 (5-0 ISL). This Saturday, October 8th, the Zebras are excited to host Milton Academy, Thayer Academy, and Nobles for an ISL quad match in the Cage. The Zebras will square off against Milton Academy at 2pm, after which they will face Thayer Academy in the second round of matches.
