Following an exciting 2-1 comeback victory for the Middlesex JV, the varsity volleyball squad took the court at Groton for a Friday afternoon match-up against perennial rival Groton School, and Middlesex took home the win in straight sets, winning 3-0.
In the first set, the Middlesex Zebras scored first, as middle Natalie McCall '21 stuffed an overpass of setter Sophia Poplyk '21's serve. Outside Mayu Lee '20 was the next to serve, and she, too, dished up a long service run that included an ace. Right side Morgan Clapp '22 and captain and outside hitter Hadley Jevon '19 also scored on blocks during Mayu's run. When Natalie rotated back to serve and middle Kiley Briand '20 came into the front row, it was Kiley's turn to score at the net, earning a block and a kill-- a pass by Natalie to Poplyk allowed Kiley to place a kill around the Groton defense. In the middle of the set, Groton rallied and put together a service run, but a great pass by Hadley to Poplyk set up a kill by Kiley for the sideout. During setter Sofia Dickinson '22's serve, right side Derin Colak '20 was able to stuff an overpass. Sofia continued the run, serving up consecutive aces. Hadley's service run ended the set-- a great pass by libero Sevilla Jin '21 to Sofia set up a cross-court kill by Mayu started the final run. An ace by Hadley and then a stuff block by Kiley put the score at set point, and the set ended 25-9, Middlesex.
Groton was determined to clean up their game in the second set, and they succeeded in putting pressure on Middlesex as they notched some aces and put together some service runs of their own. When Sevilla rotated back to serve, she immediately dished up an ace. During Sofia's run, Hadley and Kiley had a block of Groton's outside hitter that helped to keep Middlesex on top. The scoreline stayed even through the middle of the set, though a decisive kill by Mayu assisted by Sofia helped to shift the momentum in Middlesex's favor. Toward the end of the set, a dig by defensive specialist Emily Pyne '21 allowed Poplyk to assist a kill by Kiley, and the second set ended 25-19.
The third and final set again stayed fairly even, as the two teams traded sideouts for the first part of the set. Highlights from early in the set included a great serve receive by Sevilla to Poplyk who set up a kill by Hadley for a first serve sideout. A few plays later, defensive specialist Angela Bi '21 hit the floor to pick up a ball that was dropping in, and allowed Middlesex to earn another first serve sideout. Toward the end of the set, more great work at the net by Hadley and Kiley with Sofia running the offense allowed Middlesex to pull ahead. The final point of the match was a perfect receive by Mayu to Sofia, who set it right back to Mayu for the final kill of the game, closing the third 25-20, Middlesex.
Middlesex looks forward to a competitive week as they travel to Wellesley, Mass. on Wednesday, October 17 to face Dana Hall for a 3:30pm match, and then as they host Noble and Greenough on Saturday, October 20 for a 4:00pm start on Parents' Weekend.
