The Zebra Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Governor's Academy on October 11, 2023. It took some time for the team to shake off the road legs, never quite able to fire on all cylinders, and despite two very close sets at the end, the match was lost 0-3.

The Governors came out on fire, scoring the first ten points of Set 1 through strong serving and taking advantage of unforced errors by the Zebras.  Jackie Brown '25 put a stop to the service run with a push from the front row, getting the Zebras on the board 1-10.  Governor's regained their momentum, until Charlotte Heafey '25 registered her first kill of the match, taking the score to 4-19.  After a much-needed timeout, the Zebras re-focused their energy and went on a nice service run by freshman Clara Szeman '27.  Charlotte contributed with two more kills, making the score 8-21.  Clair ("CJ") Jennings '25 got in on the action with a strong service run of her own, with three aces paired with two other strong serves, taking the score to 14-22.  The entire Zebra team contributed to a long rally where they scrambled on defense, taking the point 15-24.  Jackie had another strong serve to inch closer to 16-24, however the home team were then able to win the next point to take Set 1, 16-25.

Middlesex carried their momentum from the second half of Set 1 into Set 2, with Jackie's strong serving, and middle blocker Alyssa Aslam '25 registering her first kill of the set, 4-1.  Alyssa continued her aggressive net play, registering a solo block, extending the Zebra lead to 7-1.  Elizabeth contributed with a back row point of her own, followed by Jackie's service ace, notching the lead to 10-1.  Charlotte got in on the front row action with two nice hits down the line, taking the score to 13-7.  She continued her contribution from the service line, with two aces bracketed around another strong serve, extending the Zebra lead to 16-7.  The Governors  got back in the set with strong serving of their own, until Alyssa registered another middle attack, with the score 18-13.  Talia De Leon '24 got her first block of the match, followed by her first kill, putting the Zebras ahead 21-19.  Jackie's service ace extended the lead to 22-19, before the teams traded side-outs, and Governor's put the game away with a final push of tough serving, winning Set 2, 24-26.

The Zebras, coming off a highly competitive Set 2, came out strong in Set 3, with Jackie going on a service run, 3-0.  Charlotte got her first kill of the match off a great dig by Clara, and a fine outside set by CJ, 4-3.  Senior co-captain Devon Coyle '24 registered her first kill of the set, extending the lead to 6-4.  After a number of long rallies and scrambling defense by Elizabeth, Clara, and Charlotte, Jackie notched a kill, putting the Zebras back ahead, 9-8.  Devon's service ace extended the lead to 10-8.  CJ's dump from the front row kept the lead, 11-9.  The teams traded side outs, with Jackie and Alyssa getting kills, taking the score to 16-13.  Jackie's service ace extended the lead to 17-13, before Gov's went on another long service run until Jackie stopped the home team's momentum with a push down the line, 21-24.  The Governor's late game service run in Set 3 proved too much for the Zebras to overcome, losing Set 3 21-25, and the match, 0-3.

Freshman libero Elizabeth Welles '27 earned the team helmet for the match for her great positive attitude, backrow play, serving accuracy, and overall consistency. The team continues its ISL schedule on the road against rival the Groton School on Friday, October 13, at 2:00pm.