On Friday November 3rd, the Middlesex Varsity Volleyball squad hosted Lawrence Academy for a highly anticipated showdown between the top two teams in the ISL, which are also two of the top teams in the NEPSAC Class B rankings. The gym was rocking as if it were a playoff match with both a large contingent of away fans as well as a boisterous and supportive Middlesex home crowd, who cheered loudly for their team to drown out opposing fan noise. Both teams rose to the occasion as tremendous high quality volleyball was on display from both sides -- this was one of the best volleyball contests to ever be played in the Cage. Ultimately, the match came down to the Zebras' grit and resilience as they overcame a 0-2 set deficit to win the next three sets in decisive fashion and take the match, 3-2.
The Zebras scored first in set 1, with a perfect pass by co-captain and libero Nina Huttemann '18 to setter Defne Colak '18 setting up a kill by co-captain and opposite hitter Mimi Larrieux '18, who totaled 18 kills in the match (and now also has over 100 kills for the season). Outside hitter Hadley Jevon '19 stepped up in the first set, swinging aggressively to score a total of five kills in the first set alone. Middle blocker Kiley Briand '20 was also dominant at the net, scoring two stuff blocks in the first set. The scoreline stayed even throughout the first set, as the Zebra defense, grounded by Nina, adjusted to the Spartans' hard-hitting outside hitter. In the end, despite a clutch sideout with a great pass by co-captain and outside hitter Avery Light '18 to Defne for a kill by Hadley when the Spartans were at set point, Lawrence won the first set 23-25.
The second set was also close, and again, it came down to which team was able to minimize unforced errors and capitalize on free ball opportunities. In this set, middle hitter Natalie Burden '18 scored first, earning a first-ball sideout off of a great serve receive from Hadley to Defne to set up the kill. On the very next play, Nat had a huge stuff of Lawrence's big outside hitter on the double block with Mimi. Avery was the next Zebra hitter to turn it up-- she totaled seven kills in the second set (24 kills in the match). Toward the end of the set, a spectacular angled shot by Avery tied the score at 22-22 to sideout Lawrence. The two teams repeatedly traded sideouts with great play on both sides. Then, with Lawrence at set point and one of their stronger servers at the line, they won the second set with an ace, 28-26.
Despite losing both sets in such heartbreaking fashion, the Zebras maintained composure and came out swinging in the third set, and the result was a dominant, almost perfect set, with virtually no unforced errors by Middlesex. A strong service run by Avery put Middlesex in an early lead, as Avery dished up three back-to-back aces. Another good service run in the middle of the set, this time by Defne, extended the lead. Defne's run included two aces and some great defense as Nina, Avery, and Hadley dug up hard-hit balls to allow Defne to set up two crushing kills by Mimi. Another block of Lawrence's strong outside hitter by Natalie on the double block with Avery brought the score to 19-9. During Natalie's serve, she demonstrated her strong defense in the back row, sending a great pass to Defne for a beautifully placed kill by Kiley to bring the score to set point, 24-11 before the set finally ended 25-12, Middlesex.
It was Lawrence's turn to minimize unforced errors in the fourth set, but fortunately Middlesex was able to dial up their offense even while maintaining their edge on defense. Middlesex lost a run of points to start the set, but Avery stayed poised at the net and won a blocking joust to earn the sideout. Defne's service run then evened the scoreline, and Avery's run extended it. Another service run by Natalie forced Lawrence to take their first timeout to regroup. Toward the end of the set, Mimi came up big, scoring a couple of crushing kills assisted by Defne. Another great dig by Nina (who totaled 18 digs in the match) to Defne set up a kill by Hadley, bringing the score to 21-16 and forcing Lawrence to take their second and final timeout before Hadley rotated back to serve. Hadley served out the set, playing great defense in the back row alongside Nina to allow Defne to set up a pair of kills by Avery and one by Mimi, before Defne took the final kill herself with a well-placed tip after spectacular cover of a hitter. The fourth set ended 25-16, Middlesex.
The home crowd had been growing throughout the match as news of the epic ISL battle being fought in the gym circulated, and the energy in the Cage was high during the deciding fifth set. Avery was dominant in the final set, notching seven kills-- almost half of the points scored in the set. The scoreline stayed even for the first half of the set, with Lawrence just ahead, 7-8, as the two teams switched sides. An excellent service run by Hadley allowed Middlesex to move into the lead, and a couple of errors by Lawrence combined with clean play and a powerful offense led by Defne (who tallied 56 assists in the match) by Middlesex allowed the Zebras to close out the set 15-11.
This win brings Middlesex's record to 14-1 overall (8-0 ISL) and guarantees at least a tie for the ISL Championship. The girls look forward to some rest over the weekend before the last week of regular season play. They will travel to Cambridge, Mass. on Wednesday, November 8 to face BB&N for their final ISL contest, looking to secure the league title. The final match of the regular season, which is also Senior Day, will be played at home on Saturday, November 11 at 2pm against St. Paul's.
