The #6 seed Middlesex Varsity Volleyball squad traveled to Weston, Mass. to face the #3 seed and ISL runners-up Rivers School for a rematch of their loss of October 27, and came back to win it decisively 3-1, advancing to the semifinal round of the NEPSAC Class B tournament.
Middlesex pulled into an early lead in the first set, capitalizing on clean, consistent play by the whole team while the Redwings showed some early match nerves. Middle and co-captain Morgan Clapp '22 put together an early service run which forced Rivers to take their first timeout. During her run, outside Julie Chen '23 had a great dig to setter and co-captain Sofia Dickinson '22, who set up the first Zebra kill of the match from the middle by Parker Boyden '23. The Redwings edged back in, despite some strong work at the net by Morgan, Parker, and right side Annabelle Lerner '23. Rivers took advantage of a few Zebra errors to even the scoreline and pull ahead in the middle of the set with strong swings from their pins and strong blocks in the middle, eventually taking the first set 17-25, Rivers.
However, a resilient Middlesex took control of the scoreline right away in the second set, earning an immediate sideout as libero Romy Ahn '23 sent a perfect serve receive to Sofia who set up a kill from defensive specialist Antonia Baylor '22. One great rally early in the set included a strong hit by Morgan that was returned as a freeball, and which the Zebras were able to convert into a kill by outside hitter Sydney Feeney '22. Romy was the next server for Middlesex, and her five-point run included a big solo block by Parker and three consecutive aces. With the score at 21-9, Middlesex, the Redwings put together a run of their own, scoring five points to narrow the gap. Their run featured several long and intense rallies, and finally ended when Romy's great dig allowed Sofia to set up a kill by Morgan. Rivers refused to give up the set easily, and the two teams traded a few sideouts before the Zebras were able to close it with a solid serve receive by Julie that allowed Sofia to set up a final kill by Parker, ending the second 25-17, Middlesex.
The dramatic third set featured still more long and intense rallies as the Redwing hitters found their groove, while the Middlesex defense adjusted and dug up almost everything Rivers sent over. The Zebra blockers, too, adjusted their timing and forced the Redwings to change their approach. The two teams stayed fairly even through the start of the set. The Zebras were down two points when defensive specialist Caroline Cervini '23 stepped in to serve, and her hard float serve was either mishandled or returned as a freeball, allowing the Zebras to go on the offensive. Her run earned four points for the Zebras to put Middlesex on top. Middlesex pulled ahead later in the set with some great work at the net by Morgan and right side hitter Anna Buell '22, both on offense and defense, but the Redwings' own consistent, tough servers kept them in the game, and they came back and pulled ahead 20-21. A great dig by Antonia then allowed Sofia to set up a kill by Morgan for the sideout to even the score at 21-21. A few errors by Middlesex to end some tough rallies followed, and the Redwings inched ahead to set point 22-24. The Zebras maintained their composure, however, and Sofia set up a kill by Julie from the back row to earn the sideout. Romy rotated to serve, and an error by Rivers tied the score 24-24. The Redwings converted their serve receive into attacks, but the Zebra defense was alert, allowing Sofia to assist the final two kills by Sydney to conclude the third set 26-24, Middlesex.
With the momentum squarely with them, Middlesex took control of the fourth set early on, with several big blocks by Morgan, Anna, and Parker, and rock solid defense in the back row to neutralize the Redwing hitters. A highlight of the fourth set was a big kill by Morgan for a sideout-- her 100th kill of the season. The fourth set ended 25-15, Middlesex.
With this win, Middlesex (12-4) advances to the semifinal round of the NEPSAC Class B tournament for the fourth time in the past six seasons. They will face #2 King School on Saturday, November 20 (time and location TBD).
