The Middlesex Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Weston, Mass. for a midweek ISL match on Wednesday, October 25, and-- after cheering the JV to victory-- won in straight sets, 3-0, with contributions from the whole team.
The first set opened slowly as the offense on both sides warmed up. The first kill of the match was notched by middle hitter Natalie Burden '18 off a great pass by libero and co-captain Nina Huttemann '18 to setter Defne Colak '18, who set up the quick hit by Natalie for the kill. The Zebra offense then found their groove, as Defne varied the hitters, often finding outside hitter and co-captain Avery. Toward the end of the match, middle and co-captain Mimi Larrieux rotated back to serve, and quickly dished up an ace. The next serve was overpassed by the Red Wings, and Avery was there to kill it. Freshman Sophia Poplyk came in as a serving specialist and also dished up an ace, and her strong serve brought the score to set point before the Red Wings earned the side out. Middlesex then won the set on the attack, with a great pass by outside hitter Hadley Jevon '19 to Defne who set up a kill by Avery, ending the first set 25-14.
The scoreline stayed fairly even for the first part of the second set, as the gritty Red Wings managed to dig up some tough balls and force a few errors on the Zebras. A good service run by opposite Grace Chamberlain '19 allowed Middlesex to pull into the lead, and then another long service run by Avery extended the lead. Avery's tough serve put the Red Wings off balance resulting in a number of free balls and roll shots, which the Zebras capitalized upon. The defense, led by Nina, sent great passes to Defne, who set up three kills by Hadley during Avery's run, and one crushing kill to the deep corner by middle Kiley Briand '20.The set then ended during Mimi's service run, with a dig by Defne that Mimi stepped in to set, assisting a final kill by Avery ending the set 25-15.
The Zebras did not let up in the final set with Nat Burden once again immediately setting the tone opening the set with a stuff block of an errant overpass. Two points later, Natalie was there again to assist a stuff by Avery of a hard-hit ball by Rivers' opposite. Avery's first kill in the third set was her 100th of the season -- this is the third straight season she has achieved this mark. The set featured consistently strong play by the whole squad, but one highlight included a great service run by outside hitter Mayu Lee '20, whose strong serve and solid defense in the back row allowed Defne to set up several more kills by Avery as well as a crushing kill on the right side by Mimi. At the end of the set, a quality hit by opposite Maggie Chamberlain '19 was sent back over to Nina, who set up Defne for the final kill of the match, ending the third set 25-13.
Middlesex (11-1, 6-0 ISL) looks forward to hosting another ISL opponent, Thayer Academy, on Saturday, October 28 at 4:00pm for Parents' Weekend.
