On Wednesday October 13, the Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Byfield, Mass. for an intense ISL contest against The Governor's Academy, and managed to shake off their road legs and post-PSAT fatigue to take down Governor's 3-1 after losing the first set.
The first set opened with a strong serve by Governor's, earning them the lead on a couple unforced errors by the Zebras. Middlesex then began to put together their own attacks, earning their first kill out of the back row with a big swing by libero Romy Ahn '23 assisted by setter and co-captain Sofia Dickinson '22. Middlesex next notched a first-serve sideout off of a great pass by Romy that allowed Sofia to set up a kill by outside hitter Sydney Feeney '22. Another first-serve sideout came off a pass by outside hitter Julie Chen '23, which Sofia set to middle and co-captain Morgan Clapp '22 for the kill. A long service run in the middle of the set allowed Governor's to take control of the scoreline, and despite some strong late-set serving by Sydney and a clutch ace by Marissa Fadley '22, the set ended 19-25, Governor's.
The Zebras came out determined in the second set, as Sofia stepped to the service line. The first rally ended with a kill by Morgan, and then Sofia scored two consecutive aces. Julie had the next serve, and dished up an ace, while the Zebra offense came alive in some exciting rallies: Morgan scored a block kill and to end a long rally, and Sofia mixed up the offense, assisting a kill from right side Annabelle Lerner '23, before the Governor's powerful outside hitter was able to land a kill of her own for the sideout. Governor's edged back in the middle of the set, but when middle hitter Parker Boyden '23 stepped back to serve with the score tied 12-12, she immediately dished up an ace. Romy had the next long service run, which featured a couple of aces and a big kill by Sydney. Another long rally ended when Julie dug up a crushing attack by Governor's, allowing Sofia to assist a kill by Annabelle for the sideout. Defensive specialist Caroline Cervini '23 then stepped back to serve with the score at set point, and that rally ended with a big block by Parker of the Governor's strong outside hitter, ending the second set 25-21, Middlesex.
In the third set, Governor's came out to an early lead, but a solid service run by Sydney, which included some excellent defensive play by the back row and a great kill by Julie, evened out the scoreline. Middlesex then took a modest lead, capitalizing on the consistent and composed play by the whole squad, and maintained that lead until near the end of the set, when Governor's edged back into the lead and actually got to set point, 22-24. A great pass by Romy allowed Sofia to set up a kill by Julie to end a long rally, and with the score at 23-24, Parker stepped back to the service line. The Zebras tied it up and moved to set point off of Parker's tricky float serve, and then she closed it out with an ace, ending it 26-24, Middlesex.
The fourth set started out like the third, with a modest lead by Governor's into the middle of the set, but consistent, patient play by the Zebras gave them the edge. Sofia mixed up the offense, with strong, smart attacks from right side Anna Buell '22 helping to put the Governor's squad out of system, making it difficult for them to capitalize on their offensive weapons. With the back row cemented by defensive specialist Antonia Baylor '22, Romy, and Caroline, they were able to earn quick sideouts late in the set, which ended 25-20, Middlesex.
Middlesex now looks forward to their next match against Groton School, which is scheduled for Friday afternoon before the Fall Long Weekend.
