The Middlesex varsity volleyball team hosted Lawrence Academy on Wednesday, October 3 following a victory by the JV, and the Cage was full of energy throughout three exciting sets that featured great play by both teams. The Zebras improved their play on both offense and defense in each set, but ultimately the Spartans took home the win, 0-3.
The tone was established early in the first set as libero Sevilla Jin '21 had a service run-- which included an ace-- that started a number of exciting rallies. One long rally was ended on a dig by defensive specialist Angela Bi '21 to setter Sophia Poplyk '21 to captain and outside hitter Hadley Jevon '19, who got the first Middlesex kill of the match. A couple of plays later-- still on Sevilla's service run-- middle Kiley Briand '20 got a stuff block assisted by Hadley on the Spartans' top hitter. Kiley's block energized the Zebras, who then put together a number of great plays to keep the set competitive. A service run by outside hitter Mayu Lee '20 in the middle of the set included an aced first serve followed by several more tough serves that kept Lawrence from capitalizing on their offensive weapons. Eventually, though, Lawrence pulled away with a service run of their own, and the first set ended 18-25, Lawrence.
The second set opened with a quick sideout as Mayu sent a solid serve receive to setter Sofia Dickinson '22 who assisted a kill from the right side by Mayu. Sophia Poplyk then rotated in to serve and immediately dished up three consecutive aces. More strong work at the net, this time by middle Natalie McCall '21, allowed Poplyk to extend her run, and then a great freeball conversion by Sevilla to Poplyk set up a kill by Natalie. Poplyk's long run was finally ended by a solid kill down the line by Lawrence's outside hitter. A highlight of the middle of the set was when Lawrence's best player was in the middle of a service run, and Natalie had a perfectly timed block kill to earn the sideout. Despite more great play and hard-fought rallies, the second set ended 19-25, Lawrence.
The Zebras came out determined in the third set, opening with several aces, first by Poplyk and then by Mayu. Hadley extended the Zebras' early lead by being alert at the net and stuffing an overpass of Mayu's serve. Defensive specialist Emily Pyne '21 then rotated in to serve, and immediately dished up an ace. A great pass by Emily a few plays later allowed Poplyk to set up a kill by Hadley to earn the sideout. Sofia then rotated in to serve, beginning a fantastic five-point service run that put Middlesex back on top and re-energized the Middlesex side. After the sideout, a great dig by Mayu to Sofia set up a kill by right side Grace Chamberlain '19 ended the Lawrence serve before the momentum could shift. The scoreline stayed even through to the end, when, with the score at 23-23, Lawrence's strongest player rotated back to serve and closed the third set, 23-25, Lawrence.
The varsity volleyball squad is proud of the grit and tenacity exhibited in this match, which was the team's best played contest so far in the season. The Zebras are excited to take on Cushing Academy on Saturday, October 6 for a home match at 3:45pm following the Middlesex Open House.
