On Wednesday October 11, the Middlesex Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Byfield, Mass. for a challenging league contest against perennial playoff contender Governor's Academy. Overcoming the consistent, resolute defensive play of their opponents, the Zebras emerged victorious, 3-0.

Middlesex established an early lead in the first set off exceptional service runs first by setter Defne Colak '18, and then by co-captain and outside hitter Avery Light '18. Despite being a strong passing team, Governor's struggled with the Zebras' serves in the first set, sending back overpasses-- which middle Natalie Burden '18 was there to stuff-- or free balls, which libero and co-captain Nina Huttemann '18 was ready to convert into quality offense by Defne and the hitters. The first set ended, appropriately, on a strong serve-- outside hitter Hadley Jevon's float serve forced an error by Governor's, and the set ended 25-16.

Governor's tightened up their serve receive in the second set, which featured more rallies and better offense by both teams. Great kills by co-captain Mimi Larrieux '18, Avery, and Natalie Burden, assisted by Defne, again allowed Middlesex to take and maintain the lead, and the set ended 25-17.

The first third of the final set stayed a little closer-- Governor's is a gritty opponent, and they were able to dig up many of the quality attacks by the Zebra offense. But consistently excellent passing by Nina allowed Defne to vary the offense, finding the holes in the Governor's defense, and the final set ended 25-17.

Middlesex (8-1, 3-0 ISL) has a short turnaround before hosting the Groton School on Friday, October 13 at 2:00PM.