In a league match at home on Saturday October 9, the Varsity Volleyball team exhibited strong focus and teamwork to decisively defeat Brooks in straight sets, while notching a season high twenty-nine aces in the match.
The first set opened with an eight point service run by setter and co-captain Sofia Dickinson '22, whose consistent serve put Middlesex in control of the scoreline from the start. The first kill came after Brooks sent a free ball: libero Romy Ahn '23 easily passed to Sofia, who assisted the kill by defensive specialist Julie Chen '23, playing as an outside hitter for the day. Defensive specialist Antonia Baylor '23 had the next dig, allowing Sofia to assist another kill by Julie. Sofia then started mixing up the offense, assisting kills by co-captain and middle hitter Morgan Clapp '22 and setting up attacks from right side Annabelle Lerner '23. Later in the set, middle hitter Parker Boyden '23 scored her first kill to earn a side out. Setter Caroline Cervini '23 came in to serve and extended the Zebras' lead, as Caroline notched four consecutive aces. Outside hitter Sydney Feeney '22 earned the next sideout with a big kill off the opposing block. Sydney then rotated back to serve, and scored three aces, forcing Brooks to take a timeout. The first set ended 25-9 with Parker at the service line.
Brooks came out determined in the second set, and put together a long service run of their own to take a five point lead in the middle of the set, forcing the Zebras to take a timeout to regroup. A kill by Antonia from the back row immediately earned the important sideout, and then Sofia's consistent serve put the Zebras back in control. During Sofia's service run, a big attack by right side Sadie Goodwin '23 put Brooks off balance, and they sent back a free ball that Middlesex converted into a quick kill by Morgan to end the rally. Near the end of the set, another quick sideout was notched by outside hitter Anna Buell '22 assisted by Sofia. The second set ended 25-20 on an aced serve by Antonia.
The third set opened like the first, with a strong service run by Sofia building a quick 8-0 lead before Brooks could sideout. The Zebras maintained control of the set from there, maintaining at least a six point lead throughout the middle of the set. Highlights included Sydney notching a few more kills, and the match concluded decisively with three aces by Julie followed by a kill by Morgan to end it 25-12, Middlesex.
A shorter week of training awaits Middlesex Volleyball (4-2; 2-2 ISL) with two away matches against ISL opponents: they will travel to The Governor's Academy on Wednesday, October 13 (3:45pm start) and then to Groton School on Friday, October 15 (2:00pm start) before enjoying their Fall Long Weekend.
