The Middlesex Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Wellesley, Mass. for a mid-week match against perennial playoff contender Dana Hall, and came up just short, 1-3.
The first set started slow for Middlesex, as they gave up a first serve sideout and then a long service run to Dana Hall's top server. Outside hitter Katy Qin '21 subbed in, and then libero Sevilla Jin '21 sent a good serve receive to setter Sophia Poplyk '21 who assisted the kill by Katy for the sideout. Katy then rotated back to serve and started chipping away at Dana's lead, notching an ace in her run. The Middlesex defense then came alive, winning some rallies through some great work at the net, as right side Morgan Clapp '22 and middle Natalie McCall '21 each earned a few stuff blocks. As setter Sofia Dickinson '22 rotated back to serve, Middlesex added more-- this time, off of a dig by defensive specialist Angela Bi, enabling Sofia to set up a kill by captain and outside hitter Hadley Jevon '19. The big moment of the first set came during an 8-point service run by Sevilla, which included 4 aces and a great block by right side Maggie Chamberlain '19, and got Middlesex back within striking distance. Then, when the score was at set point, outside hitter Mayu Lee '20 rotated back to serve and nearly stole the set, which ended 23-25, Dana Hall.
The Zebras carried the momentum from the final third of the first set into the second, which they controlled from the start, scoring a first-serve sideout off of a great receive by Hadley that allowed an attack by Mayu. Other highlights from the second set included a great pick-up by Angela to Poplyk, who assisted a kill by middle Kiley Briand '20. Kiley continued a good run at the net, scoring two stuff blocks and forcing the Dragons' offense to adjust. Middlesex pulled ahead, then, during Sophia Poplyk's service run, which included blocks by Natalie McCall and a well-placed kill by Mayu. The second set ended with a pass by Hadley to Sofia, who set up a kill by right side Derin Colak '20, closing the second 25-20, Middlesex.
A highlight early in the third set was a great pass by Sevilla to Sofia, who set up a kill by right side Grace Chamberlain '19 for a first-serve sideout. The scoreline then stayed even up until the middle of the set, when a few key errors on offense shook the Zebras' confidence, and they gave up a run of points on Dana Hall's serve, and the third set closed 13-25, Dana Hall.
The fourth and final set was a lot like the third-- the set opened with some great work at the net by Natalie and Morgan, and the scoreline stayed even through the middle of the set, with the Dragons pulling away toward the end. Dana Hall's offense adjusted to the Middlesex block in the final third of the set, and began tipping around the block to get kills. The fourth set ended on a long service run by Dana Hall, closing 13-25.
Middlesex is looking forward to hosting Nobles this Saturday, October 20, for a 4:00pm match as part of their Parents' Weekend festivities.
