The MX Varsity Volleyball team traveled to play the Lawrence Academy Spartans on Wednesday, October 4, losing 0-3 in three competitive sets.
Middlesex got off to a slow start in Set 1, with the Spartans jumping out to an early lead through a strong first serving run. Jackie Brown '25 narrowed the deficit to 2-7 with a strong serve, after the Zebras finally earned a sideout. After another Spartan service run, Jackie scored on a back row attack, with freshman libero Clara Szeman '27 getting the assist. Senior co-captain Devon Coyle '24 got in on the scoring action with a tough serve, taking the score to 5-13. Charlotte Heafey '25 got her first kill of the match off a fine set from Clair ("CJ") Jennings '25 and a perfect pass from Elizabeth Welles '27 to make it 6-19. The team traded side outs, until the Spartans went on another service run, ultimately winning Set 1, 11-25.
The Spartans jumped out to an early lead in Set 2, until the full team of CJ, Devon, Jackie, Charlotte, Talia De Leon '24, and Jane ("Janie") Martin '26 showed their grit, by scrambling to win the longest rally of the match, taking the score to 1-3. Janie got her first kill of the match going cross-court, stopping a Spartan run, 3-7. Talia got in the front row action with a middle attack, resulting in a 4-12 score. Elizabeth complimented her fine passing with a back row attack, siding out at 5-13. After a number of side outs, Devon got a middle kill of her own, with CJ making a fine choice, off of Elizabeth's excellent pass, keeping the score within reach, 8-18. The Zebras began a spirited comeback, with Charlotte & Janie each getting front row kills, Jackie scoring from the back row, followed by two consecutive service aces. Charlotte got another kill down the line off a CJ assist, with Jackie adding two more aces – resulting in a 9 point scoring run, taking the score to 18-19. Talia added a middle kill, and Sarah McLaughlin '25 contributed two service aces of her own, knotting the score at 21-21. Charlotte's service ace put the Zebras up for the first time in the set, 23-22. Unfortunately, the Spartans closed out Set 2 with three consecutive points, winning 23-25.
The Zebras came out for Set 3, determined to get off to a quicker start than the prior sets. Charlotte got her first kill of the set with a nice shot down the line, with CJ getting the assist, putting Middlesex ahead 3-1. After the teams traded side outs, Sarah continued her strong serving, recording two aces, putting the Zebras ahead 7-4. Charlotte continued her all-around contribution with a strong serve, extending the Zebra lead to 9-5. However, Lawrence then went on a long service run in the middle of Set 3, regaining their Set 1 & 2 confidence. Charlotte put a stop to it with a great service receive that CJ returned to her, for another kill down the line, taking the score to 14-21. The Spartan lead was ultimately too large for the Zebras to counter, with the final score of 15-25.
Jackie Brown '25 earned the team helmet for the match for her all-around contribution in serving, back row defense, and front row attack – coupled with amazing hustle. Upcoming practices will focus on offensive & defensive positioning, while continuing to eliminate unforced errors. The team continues its ISL schedule at home against Brooks on Saturday, October 7, at 3:30pm.
