The Middlesex Varsity Volleyball team returned to the Cage for a home match against Milton Academy Mustangs on Saturday, September 30, losing 0-3 in three competitive sets.
The Mustangs got off to a fast start in Set 1 with a number of their senior players serving strong. Alyssa Aslam '25 got the Zebras on the scoreboard with a middle block, narrowing the deficit to 1-2. Clara Szeman '27 stopped a second Milton service run with a fine pass, which she followed up with a service ace of her own, halving the lead at 3-6. Both teams traded side outs, with Clara notching a backrow point off a fine assist from Jackie Brown '25. In what turned out to be the longest rally of the entire match, the entire Zebra team hustled & scrambled to earn a side out – with Charlotte Heafey '25 contributing 2 digs, Clara keeping third balls in play, senior co-captain Devon Coyle '24 getting middle attacks off of Claire ("CJ") Jennings '25 sets, Alyssa's blocks at the net, and a fine dump by Jackie to take the score to 7-12. Alyssa continued her strong play at the net, with another middle attack, taking the score to 8-13. However, after both teams traded side outs, the Mustangs went on a long service run, winning Set 1, 11-25.
The Zebras started off Set 2 with a service ace from Clara. After a number of side outs, Charlotte cut the Mustang lead in half with a fine outside hit down the line, with CJ getting the assist, 3-6. Jackie narrowed the Mustang lead with a back row attack, which was followed by Clara's second service ace of the game, taking the score to 5-6. The Mustangs returned to their strong serving, building their lead to 9-18, until Devon put a stop to the run, with two service aces of her own. Alyssa got in on the action with an emphatic middle block, taking the score to 13-18. Jackie had a nice kill from the outside, with CJ getting the assist, keeping the Zebras within 5 points, 15-20. Both teams traded side outs, with Alyssa getting another middle attack kill, 17-24. Milton served out Set 2, earning the win, 17-25.
Middlesex, showing grit after losing the first two sets, came out determined to start strong in Set 3. Jane ("Janie") Martin '26 started things off for the Zebras with a nice kill, off Clara's dig and CJ's set. Charlotte went on a fantastic service run, notching five consecutive aces, putting the Zebras ahead for the first time in the match, 9-8. In the second longest rally of the afternoon, which was noted by Devon's middle hits, Clara's back row digs, and Charlotte's scrambling to keep balls alive, Jackie knotted the score with a fine back row attack, 10-10. Charlotte put the Zebras ahead off a nice assist from CJ, 12-11. CJ got in on the service action, expanding the Zebra lead, 14-12. The Mustang's toughest server went on a six point service run, until serving long, putting the Zebras behind, 15-18. The teams traded side outs, until the Mustangs went on another strong service run, taking the score to 17-23. A Mustang service error notched the score to 18-24. Milton finished-off Set 3 with an outside kill, 18-25, winning the match, 0-3.
Alyssa Aslam '25 earned the team helmet for the match for her strong contribution in the middle, continuing to improve both her blocking & hitting, while maintaining a positive and encouraging attitude. Upcoming practices will focus on serve receive, blocking, and continuing to eliminate unforced errors. The team continues its ISL schedule away against Lawrence Academy on Wednesday, October 4, at 3:00pm.
