The Varsity Volleyball team hosted cross-town rivals Concord Academy for an unusual Thursday afternoon matchup on Halloween, and it turned into a battle of wills, as the Middlesex squad tried to break down a tough Concord defense, ultimately losing a tight match in five sets.
Middlesex got on the board with a first-ball sideout in the first set off of a dig by captain and outside hitter Mayu Lee '20 that allowed setter Sophia Poplyk '21 to set up a kill by outside Katy Qin '21. Katy was next to serve, and immediately served up an ace to put the Zebras on top. During libero Sevilla Jin '21's serve, defensive specialist Emily Pyne '21 was there with a pass that allowed Poplyk to set up a kill by Mayu. But the Chameleons' consistent, tough serves put Concord back on top, and a critical sideout was earned by captain and middle hitter Kiley Briand '20 to end a Concord run. But Concord had taken the lead, and they did not relinquish it for the remainder of the set, which ended 16-25, Concord.
The Zebras came back determined to play as a team in the second set, and, after earning an immediate sideout to open the set, continued to push points on Poplyk's serve-- first with an ace, and then with a dig by libero Sevilla Jin '21 that allowed Poplyk to assist a kill by middle Morgan Clapp '22. A few plays later, a dig by Mayu let Poplyk mix up the offense, and she set up a kill by opposite Natalie McCall '21. In the middle of the set, a run of points off of Kiley's serve put Middlesex into a decisive lead-- Kiley's run included three aces, and two stuff blocks and a kill by Morgan in the front row. The set eventually ended 25-14, Middlesex, on an aced serve by Sevilla.
In the third set, Poplyk began with an aced serve, and Katy, the next server, also served up consecutive aces. But again, the Chameleons' consistency at serve and their tight defense allowed them to pull into a lead. Middlesex still put together some spectacular plays-- one dig in particular by defensive specialist Angela Bi '21 allowed Poplyk to set up a kill by Mayu while the Chameleons were prematurely celebrating their attack. But still, Concord should be commended for their composure on defense, as they patiently dug up the Zebra attacks and, without putting together very many big hits themselves, managed to outlast the Zebras on a number of long rallies. The third set eventually ended 18-25, Concord.
In the fourth set, the Zebras found their rhythm again, patiently attacking on play after play, making smart shots or taking big swings when they saw opportunities. One highlight later in the set was a long rally which ended when Poplyk took the dig, and defensive specialist Sofia Dickinson '22 stepped in for the assist, and Kiley put it away for the kill to earn the first-ball sideout. The set ended on a service run by Katy-- first, a double block by Morgan and Natalie put the score at 21-19, then, after an aced serve by Katy, the Chameleons called a timeout to regroup. Unphased, Katy then served up another ace after the timeout. With the score at 23-19, Concord committed an unforced error as they attempted to return Katy's tough serve. Then, with the score at set point, Katy calmly dished up a final ace to end the fourth set 25-19, Middlesex.
The fifth set was a dramatic end to this back-and-forth match. Middlesex jumped out to an early 5-2 lead before Concord responded to tie the score and then take the lead 6-8 on the changeover. Using that momentary break to regain composure, Middlesex then won the next three points before Concord earned the sideout with a kill by their best hitter to tie the score again at 9-9. With Kiley at the service line, Middlesex earned the next two points prompting a Concord timeout, after which the teams traded sideouts bringing the score to 12-10. The Zebras, caught up in the intensity of the moment, began to play with less patience and composure, and gave up a few unforced errors allowing Concord to catch-up to 12-12 before two more sideouts brought the score to 13-13. Middlesex set up a strong attack off the serve receive that was called long by a fraction of an inch, and that made the difference, and the final set ended 13-15, Concord, after another strong serve by their best player.
Middlesex now looks ahead to another non-league game, as they travel to Worcester, Mass. tomorrow afternoon (Friday, November 1) for a 5:00pm start against Worcester Academy.
