The #2 Middlesex Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Wilbraham and Monson Academy on Sunday, November 20 for the final match of the NEPSAC Class B tournament, facing the defending champion, #4 Pomfret School, who also eliminated Middlesex in a tough five-set contest in last year's semifinal match. The match was scrappy and intense, but the fans who had traveled to see this match-- some from as far away as Turkey and California-- were not disappointed, as the Zebras came back from losing the first set to win the next three, and came home with the title, winning 3-1.

The first set opened with two straight missed serves as both teams came out a bit on edge. Both teams grew more composed, however, and cleaned up their play. The first point earned by Middlesex was off of the powerful double block by co-captain and middle hitter, Lydia Paddock '17 and opposite hitter Natalie Burden '18, who stuffed Pomfret's strong outside hitter for the sideout. As the set progressed, setter Defne Colak '18 mixed up the offense, setting up kills by outside hitter Avery Light '18, middle hitter Mimi Larrieux '18, and Lydia. When libero Nina Huttemann '18 stepped back to serve, the scoreline was tied at 12-12, but her jump float serve proved too tricky for the Griffins to handle, and their overpass of her serve was immediately stuffed by Natalie. Nina then dished up a pair of aces to give Middlesex a three-point lead. With Pomfret now on the defensive, they began to tip and make shots around the Zebras' blockers, refusing to hit hard and risk being blocked. This new strategy allowed Pomfret to even the scoreline, and they crept back into the lead, eventually winning the first set 23-25.

In the second set, the Middlesex defense was ready for the Griffins' adjusted offense, and the back row players were on their toes ready to cover tips and dumps around the block. A pair of aces by outside hitter and co-captain Lily Renneker '17 early in the set put Middlesex on top, and they maintained and extended that lead throughout the set. The middle hitters, Lydia and Mimi, dominated the offense in the second set as Defne took advantage of the mismatch and kept feeding the ball to the middles, both of whom were on fire. A perfect serve receive by Nina allowed Defne to set up a slide to Mimi, who crushed it cross court from the right side, catching Pomfret on their heels. On the next play, after a great serve by Hadley Jevon '19, Mimi blocked the Pomfret middle. Then, after Mimi had rotated into the back row, Lydia took over in the front, and ended a long rally with a decisive stuff block that left the Griffins in scramble mode. The set ended with a service run by Mimi-- her float serve caused a passing error by the Griffins to put the score at 22-17, forcing Pomfret to call a timeout to regroup. After the timeout, Pomfret attempted to tip around the block, but defensive specialist Stephanie Li '17 was there for the dig to Defne, who set up a kill by Lydia. Another kill by Lydia put Middlesex at set point, and then a final aced serve by Mimi closed out the second set, 25-17.

The third set again featured better tip coverage by the Zebras' defense, which allowed Defne to set up a more varied offense. Lydia took a page out of Pomfret's book, and notched a kill off of an off-speed tip when she saw the Pomfret passers move back, expecting another big hit. Later in the third set, after losing a couple of points in a row, Middlesex called a timeout, wanting to protect what was still a comfortable lead of 22-16. At that point, the outside hitters took over: a great pass by Lily to Defne set up a crushing kill down the line by Avery to sideout the Griffin server. Another kill by Avery put Middlesex at set point, and outside hitter Hadley Jevon '18 subbed in to serve and aced out the set, which ended 25-17, Middlesex.

The final set was closer, although Middlesex again took control early and never gave up the lead once they took it. Stephanie came in to serve with the score tied at 7-7, and managed a good run of points, earning two aces, plus a kill by Avery, before siding out. Middlesex maintained that same lead of two or three points for the remainder of the set, with the whole team on their toes and playing well as a unit. Some highlights from later in the set included a great dig by Nina to Defne who set up a crushing quick hit by Mimi. This sideout allowed Hadley to come to serve, and she immediately notched another ace, putting the score at 23-18. Pomfret was desperate at this point, and unwilling to let anything hit the ground. A few errors by Middlesex players, all of whom were eager to end the match and gain the title, allowed the Griffins to pull back into the game, and with the score at 23-21, Middlesex called a timeout. Right after the timeout, Nina sent a perfect pass to Defne, who set up Lily, who crushed it down the line for the biggest sideout of the season. Then, with the match on the line, Mimi rotated back to serve, and did not disappoint-- she was calm and composed, and her float serve made it difficult for Pomfret to set up a big hit; instead, they went for their usual play-- a tip-- but it was enough for them to earn the sideout. With the score at 24-22, a hitting error by Middlesex made it a one-point game, but then Pomfret missed the serve, and the fourth set ended 25-23, Middlesex.

With this win, the Middlesex Varsity Volleyball team, only in its third year of existence, claimed its first NEPSAC Class B title. The team's strengths were apparent in this match and throughout the postseason: their resilience and composure even after losing a run of points or after losing the first set; their ability to trust each other on the court and play as a team; their consistent serves, presence at the net, and talented defense in the back row; and above all, their obvious joy in the game and in each other. This was truly an impressive season for Middlesex! With a 13-1 ISL record, the team also claimed a share of the ISL title. Middlesex compiled an 18-3 regular season record and 3-0 postseason record, losing only one match at home all season and staying undefeated against all New England Class B opposition.

We will miss our five seniors next year: manager/scorekeeper extraordinaire Ariana Odom, setter/outside hitter Erin Brady, defensive specialist Stephanie Li, co-captain middle hitter Lydia Paddock, and co-captain outside hitter Lily Renneker. The seniors always set the tone of the team, and we could not have asked for better from these amazing girls. They worked hard each day in practice and served as role models for the younger players. We are genuinely grateful for their efforts and contributions to this fantastic season.  Despite losing these seniors, we are optimistic about next season as eight members of the varsity team will be returning, and we will be setting high goals as we hope to defend our titles.