The Middlesex Varsity Volleyball team secured their second win of the season, beating in-town rival Concord Academy at home on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 3-1. This was also the 100th win for the Varsity team, since its inception in 2014.

Jackie Brown '26 got Middlesex off to a quick start in Set 1, notching the first service ace of the match, putting the Zebras ahead, 2-1.  Charlotte Heafey '25 registered her first kill of the match on a long defensive rally, extending the lead to 3-1.  Freshman libero Elizabeth Welles '27 tough serve took the score to 5-3.  Setter Clair ("CJ") Jennings '25 tipped a third ball over the net, keeping the Zebras ahead, 6-4.  Sara McLaughlin '25 continued the Zebra momentum by registering two consecutive service aces, extending the lead to 8-4.  After a number of side-outs, senior co-captain Devon Coyle '24 made her presence known at the net with an aggressive block, taking the score to 13-7.  Devon followed-up with a service ace of her own, doubling the lead, 14-7.  Jackie and Alyssa teamed on a block, 15-7.  Another service ace from Devon, and her third ball over found the floor, kept the Zebra momentum, 17-7.  The Chameleons then rallied in an effort to close the gap, but Jackie scrambled in the back row to make a fantastic dig, setting up Charlotte's kill to keep the Zebras ahead, 21-17.  Sarah followed with yet another service ace, extending the lead to 22-17.  Lucy McGaraghan '27 got in on the front row action by scoring a tip, reaching set point at 24-18.  Jackie closed out Set 1 with a tip of her own, with Middlesex winning Set 1, 25-18.

Concord came out strong in Set 2, jumping to an early lead over the Zebras.  Jackie stopped CA's early momentum with a back row kill, keeping the Zebras within early reach, 3-5.  Charlotte notched her own back row kill, taking the score to 5-8.  CJ's service ace, and Jackie's kill off strong backrow play from Elizabeth narrowed the Chameleons' lead to 7-8.  Alyssa's middle kill off a great jump-set from CJ took the score to 8-10.  Sarah then went on a service run, registering a number of aces and tough serves, as the Zebrassured  ahead 14-12.  Charlotte's kill extended the lead to 15-12.  Devon & Lucy teamed on an aggressive block, taking the score to 16-13.  Charlotte got in on the strong serving action by registering two consecutive aces, putting the Zebras ahead, 18-13.  Lucy registered a kill after a long defensive rally with strong back row play from freshman libero Clara Szeman '27 and Elizabeth, extending the lead to 19-13.  Charlotte's ace put the Zebras ahead 20-13.  After trading side-outs, Devon put the game away for the Zebras with strong serving, winning Set 2, 25-14.

Concord was determined to stay in the match, and got off to a strong start in Set 3.  Lucy's block tied the early score at 3-3.  Charlotte registered a kill with the entire team scrambling on defense, putting Middlesex ahead, 7-4.  After trading side outs, Charlotte got the Zebras to double-digits on the scoreboard with another kill, 10-9.  Jackie added two kills, the latter after what was the longest rally of the match, keeping the Zebras in the lead, 14-13.  CA gained momentum in the middle of the set with strong defensive play and tough serving, until Charlotte's two consecutive aces brought the Zebras close on the scoreboard, 20-22.  Alyssa's kill, followed by Devon's joust-block at the net, tied the score at 23-23.  However, CA scrambled to win the last two points, winning Set 3, 23-25.

CA carried their Set 3 momentum into Set 4, jumping out to the early lead.  Charlotte got the Zebras on the scoreboard with a great pass, and CJ dished it right back to her for a kill, halving the lead, 1-2.  Sarah's service ace kept the score close, 3-4.  Lucy's third-ball over tied the score at 4-4.  Devon registered her first kill of the set, putting the Zebras ahead for the first time, 6-5.  Service aces by Charlotte, Devon, and CJ extended the lead, 11-8.  Dela and Alyssa teamed on a block, putting the Zebras ahead, 13-9.  Another long defensive scramble ended favorably for the Zebras, with Dela registering a kill, 15-13.  The Chameleons did not give up though, and captured mid-match momentum, until Lucy's roll-shot found the floor, equaling the score at 17-17.  Jackie's kill off a fine set from CJ and great backrow pass from Clara put the Zebras ahead 19-18.  Alyssa's block got the Zebras first to twenty, keeping the narrow lead, 20-18.  Charlotte made a diving dig, which allowed Jackie to notch a kill, extending the lead 21-18.  Dela registered another block at the net, which was followed by Jackie's service ace bringing the zebras to match point at 24-19.  After a sideout, a service error was all the Zebras needed to secure the Set 4 win, 25-20, and notching the victory in the Battle of Concord, 3-1.

Senior co-captain Dela McCaghren '24 earned the team helmet for the match for her great front row play, and inspiring & encouraging attitude and leadership. The team continues its ISL schedule by traveling to Noble & Greenough on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 2:00pm.