Varsity Volleyball Overcomes Injuries, Illness to Defeat Newton Country Day 3-0
 
After a week battling injuries and illnesses, the varsity volleyball squad demonstrated their resiliency and camaraderie as they came together as a team to take down Newton Country Day, in a rematch of last season's NEPSAC semi-final, in straight sets.
 
With several players in new or unfamiliar positions, the team appeared slightly shaky to start the first set, losing the first few points to unforced errors. But as outside hitter Hadley Jevon '19 rotated back to serve, the team began to find their groove, with kills notched by Hadley, co-captain and outside hitter Mimi Larrieux '18, and by middle hitter Natalie Burden '18, all assisted by setter Defne Colak '18, who totalled 29 assists in the match. The scoreline stayed close through the middle of the set, when freshman Sophia Poplyk rotated in to serve and immediately dished up an ace. On the next play, a tremendous dig by co-captain and libero Nina Huttemann of a quality hit by Newton's powerful outside allowed Defne to set up another kill by middle hitter Kiley Briand '20, who was making her season debut,, bringing the score to 17-16. The Zebras continued to add to their lead, with great hits by Natalie Burden, Hadley, and Mimi, putting the final score at 25-22.
 
Middlesex came out determined to tighten up their play in the second set and to reduce the number of unforced errors. A series of big kills by Mimi and by Natalie Burden put Middlesex on top, a lead which they would maintain for the entire set. Highlights included some incredible digs by the Zebra back row, led by Nina (11 digs in the match), who limited what the Falcons were able to accomplish offensively. Nina's tricky jump float serve then ended the set, as the Newton passers were unable to successfully handle it, and the second set ended 25-20.
 
The Falcons came out determined to extend the match in the third set, which opened with a big kill by their outside hitter to sideout the Zebras' first server. But Middlesex stayed composed, and when Mayu Lee '20 rotated in to serve, the Falcons were only able to return it as a free ball. The Zebras capitalized, as Hadley sent a perfect pass to Defne who set up a big kill by Mimi to even the scoreline. Another great dig, this time by defensive specialist Angela Bi '21, allowed Defne to set up a crushing cross-court kill by Mimi. As Mimi rotated back to serve-- where she immediately dished up an ace-- it was Hadley's turn to notch a few more kills in the front row (she totalled 12 hills for the match). A tremendous service run by Defne, which included four aces, gave Middlesex a decisive lead of 17-10. After the sideout, Defne dug up a powerful hit by the Falcons, which Natalie Burden stepped in to set, assisting a huge kill by opposite hitter Natalie McCall '21. This kill allowed Natalie Burden to rotate back to serve, bringing Kiley back to the front row, where she immediately scored a big stuff block to put the score at 20-11. After a nice service run by Natalie Burden, Kiley ended the match with another kill and a final score of 25-14.
 
The Zebras (4-0 overall record) will enjoy a short break this weekend to rest and recover from illness and injury, and then look forward to competing in their first ISL matches of the season, hosting Tabor Academy on Wednesday, September 27 at 4:15 (note time change), and Milton Academy on Friday, September 29 at 3:00pm.