The Middlesex Varsity Volleyball squad hosted ISL opponent Milton Academy on Saturday, October 2 and won in straight sets with contributions from the entire team.
The Zebras began on serve receive, and scored a first-serve sideout on a great pass by outside hitter Sydney Feeney '22 to setter and co-captain Sofia Dickinson, '22 who assisted the kill by middle and co-captain Morgan Clapp '22. Libero Romy Ahn '23 was the first to record a service run for Middlesex, and she scored six points, which included three aces and a kill by right side Annabelle Lerner '23. The Zebras scored their next sideout on a perfect receive by outside Julie Chen '23, which allowed Sofia to set up a kill by Sydney. Setter Caroline Cervini '23 then stepped back to serve, and dished up another ace for the Zebras. The next kill for Middlesex came at the end of a long rally, in which Caroline dug up an attack by the Mustangs, which Romy stepped in to set for a kill by right side Anna Buell '23. Middle Parker Boyden '23 was the next Zebra to show off her serve; she scored six consecutive points on her run, which included one ace and rally-ending blocks by Anna and Morgan. The first set ended, appropriately enough, on an aced serve by Romy, 25-15, Middlesex.
The Mustangs adjusted their serve receive in the second set, making it harder for the Zebras to string together as many long service runs. Sofia, though, did spend an extended period of time at the service line towards the middle of the set, where she also notched three consecutive aces. On the next play, Milton responded with an attack that defensive specialist Antonia Baylor '22 was there to dig up, allowing Sofia to set up a kill by Julie. Near the end of the set, outside hitter Charlotte Heafey '25 scored her first kill as a Zebra, and the second set ended 25-17, Middlesex.
The third set again opened with a first-serve sideout for the Zebras, but the scoreline then stayed even through the entire set as the two teams traded sideouts, the Mustangs determined to extend the match and the Zebras determined to complete the sweep. Highlights of the third set included a great dig by Charlotte, which allowed Sofia to set up a kill by middle hitter Devon Coyle '24-- her first kill in an interscholastic match as a Zebra. Later in the set, with the score tied at 18-18, Caroline assisted a kill by right side Marissa Fadley '22 for the sideout, allowing Middlesex to retake the lead. Middle hitter Sadie Goodwin '23 then subbed in to serve, and immediately dished up two consecutive aces, forcing Milton to take a timeout to regroup. She calmly served another tough one after the timeout, which the Mustangs returned as an attack-- Sadie was there on defense, digging it up and allowing Caroline to assist the kill by Julie. The lead won by Marissa's kill and extended by Sadie was enough for Middlesex to move to match point, and the final point was scored as Morgan killed an overpass of Julie's tough serve, ending 25-21, Middlesex.
This win brings Middlesex's season record to 3-1 (1-1 ISL). After a four match homestand, the team travels to Lawrence Academy on Wednesday, October 6, for its first away match of the season and another ISL contest. Middlesex then hosts Brooks School on Saturday, October 9, where the match referees will also be celebrated as part of the NEPSAC Volleyball Officials Appreciation Week.
