The Varsity Volleyball team played their first official match of the season at home against Newton Country Day School on Wednesday, September 20, losing 0-3 in three closely-contested sets.

 

Middlesex, featuring many players making their debuts, got down early in Set 1, prior to shaking-off Game 1 jitters, and closing the scoring gap midway through the set. Charlotte Heafey '25 contributed with a strong pass off of a Falcons attack, and recorded her first kill of the season, and continued the momentum while serving four consecutive aces.  After siding-out, senior co-captain Devon Coyle '24 kept the score close with an ace of her own.  Alyssa Aslam '25 got in on the action, with a scrambling defensive play, followed by a tip-shot that found the floor to tighten the score to 14-21.  Alyssa continued the momentum, teaming with Natalia ("Talia") De Leon '24 for a straight-down block of NCD's strongest hitter, and a serving ace that got the score to 19-24.  NCD ultimately won Set #1, 19-25.

 

The Zebras got off to a stronger start in Set 2, with both teams trading side-outs, with strong front-row attacks from Charlotte, and Sarah McLaughlin's '25 first serving ace of the season.  NCD opened up an 8-15 lead in the middle of the set, until Charlotte got a strong kill off of a fantastic outside set by Clair ("CJ") Jennings '25, who was fed nicely by a dig from Moran Liu '26.  Middlesex kept the score close, highlighted by Alyssa's strong middle attack, and her best stuff-block of the match, tightening the score to 19-22.  Clara Szeman '27 continued her strong defensive performance in the libero position with a perfect pass to CJ, setting up another middle attack from Alyssa to tighten the score to 21-23.  NCD finished-off Set #2 with two tough serves, winning the set 21-25.

 

Middlesex carried the momentum of a close Set #2 into Set #3, getting off to a fast start with two consecutive service aces from CJ.  Elizabeth Welles '27 complimented her strong defensive play by going on a three point service run, building Middlesex' lead to 8-4.  Both teams traded side outs, with Charlotte getting in on the action with a strong block, and a kill that was assisted by a great dig from Sarah and bump set from CJ.  Janie Martin '26 had a nice lefty attack that found the floor to keep the score close.  The longest rally of the match ended by a front-row attack from CJ, tightening the score to 19-20.  Devon served another ace, knotting the score at 20.  NCD pulled-away in the end, ultimately winning a very competitive set & match, 22-25.

 

CJ earned the team helmet for the match for her consistent play at the setter position, playing every point of all three sets, tallying 16 assists. This was a very solid start for the Zebras to open the season as it demonstrated the team's grit and potential, while also identifying areas of growth to work on in future practices. The team travels to their first away game of the season against Marianapolis on Saturday, September 23 at 2:00pm.