For decades, Middlesex School and the Groton School have faced each other in all sports on a Friday afternoon during the middle of the fall season. On Friday October 13, 2017, this rivalry was extended to the volleyball court as the Middlesex Varsity Volleyball squad hosted the newest member of the ISL volleyball league, Groton, in their first-ever varsity showdown. Middlesex proved to be the stronger Zebras on the day, winning in straight sets.
The first set began with a perfect serve receive by libero and co-captain Nina Huttemann '18 to setter Defne Colak '18 for the sideout kill by co-captain and outside hitter Avery Light '18. The next sideout was earned off a great pass by outside Hadley Jevon '19 to Defne, who assisted the kill by opposite Natalie McCall '21. The Middlesex Zebras continued with their maintained their high sideout conversion rate with a great stuff block by middle Kiley Briand '20. With the score at 9-6, another kill by Avery (who totaled 18 kills and 3 stuff blocks for the day) rotated Hadley back for the serve. Hadley's service run finished out the set with an incredible 16 point run, which included six aces. A highlight duringHadley's run included a dig by defensive specialist Angela Bi '21 to Defne, who set up a great kill by Nina from the back row. Hadley's serve consistently caused trouble for Groton's receiving specialists, and an overpass of the serve was immediately stuffed by middle Maggie Chamberlain '19 to move the score to set point. Following another tough serve, the first set ended 25-6.
Middlesex shifted their lineup in the second set, and defensive specialist Sevilla Jin '21 came in to dish up an ace for the first service run of the set. Setter Sophia Poplyk '21 had the next long service run, dishing up four aces in a row (5 total aces on the day) to put Middlesex decidedly in the lead. A great dig by Sevilla to Sophia set up a crushing cross-court kill by Avery. Shortly afterward, Kiley rotated back to serve, and showed her strong defense, digging up a ball to Sophia who assisted a great kill by middle and co-captain Mimi Larrieux '18. Later, a quality hit by opposite Grace Chamberlain '19 forced Groton out of system, and they returned a freeball, which Middlesex was able to convert into another kill by Mimi. The second set ended on another strong service run by Sophia, 25-17.
The final set again featured Middlesex's excellent serving, beginning with a long run by Defne, which included five aces, putting Middlesex at a 9-2 lead. Later, during Maggie's service run, a dig by Avery to Defne set up a beautiful angled shot by outside hitter Mayu Lee '20. A few points later, another kill by Mayu earned Middlesex the sideout and rotated Mayu back to serve. Mayu immediately dished up an ace to bring the score to 17-5. A great pass by defensive specialist Lyn Wu '19 on the next play allowed Defne (26 assists on the day) to set up a crushing kill from the middle by Mimi. After a few more rallies, featuring great play on both sides, the third set ended 25-8.
This win brings Middlesex's overall record to 9-1 (4-0 ISL). The team will enjoy some well-earned rest over their fall long weekend before facing challenging competition next week. Middlesex will host Dana Hall, a perennial NEPSAC playoff team, on Wednesday, October 18 at 3:30pm before traveling to Dedham, Mass. Saturday, October 21 for a 3:00pm contest against last season's fellow ISL co-champion, Noble and Greenough.
