The Varsity Volleyball team beat Thayer Academy in an away match on Saturday, October 29 at the end of a long week. Although exhausted, the Zebras maintained control of the match and offered glimmers of their best volleyball in this 3-0 win.
It took Middlesex some time to shake off the road legs in a relatively tight first set. After building a 18-12 lead through the offensive efforts of Parker Boyden '23, Annabelle Lerner '23, Julie Chen '23, Devon Coyle '24, and Caroline Cervini '23, the Zebras momentarily lost focus as they allowed the Tigers to catch up and tie the score at 20-20 and 21-21. However, the Zebras regrouped and were consistent enough down the stretch to seal a 25-23 win. Julie, Romy Ahn '23, and Charlotte Heafey '25 scored aces, while Parker had a block. Charlotte, Romy, Julie, and Tem Taepaisitphongse '23 held down the defensive line.
Once the Zebras had warmed up through the first set, they stormed out in the second set to take an early 6-0 lead on a strong serving run by Caroline. Later in the set, it was Charlotte's turn to go on a serving run as the lead was built up to 15-5. Shortly thereafter, Janie Martin '26 made her season debut adding variety to the attack from the right side. Although Thayer briefly strung together a few points, Middlesex comfortably won the second set 25-15.
The Zebras opened the third set again on the front foot and appeared in control building a 13-7 lead. However, complacency and unforced errors shrunk the lead, and Thayer tied the score back up at 21-21. However at that point, Middlesex sharpened their concentration and played consistently to close the set 25-22 with a big kill by Julie. The set featured the season debut of defensive specialist Sarah McLaughlin '25, as well as aces by Caroline, Tem, and Charlotte.
After a long stretch at the end of October, especially for the very busy seniors, Middlesex (11-1; 8-1 ISL) can enjoy a few days of recovery and fine-tuning during practice before the next match against Dexter Southfield, which will be played at home on Friday, November 4.
