Week #6 - Dominant Victory: Varsity Volleyball Wins in Straight Sets

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
Girls Varsity Volleyball - Maya's first kill was a powerful cross court hit to the back right corner - her favorite spot - perfectly placed just inside the line. Immediately, WCDS changed their formation - moving all of their players back and to the right. After a short rally, Emory set Maya on the outside, and she showed off her finesse, tipping the ball into the open space in the middle of the court. No matter what strategy the opponent employed, the reality was the same - the most talented player on the court was wearing green - and she was relentless. In the first set alone, Maya had six 6 aces, 6 kills, and 4 assists - leaving her mark on every moment of the game. 
 
WCDS won the toss and served first - right to Zella - who made a perfect pass to Emory. She set Maya for the aforementioned smash and then carried the ball to the service line for a sequence of aces. From there, Tandem took an early 6-0 lead. After a short WCDS run, the Badgers front line each showed off their hitting ability. First, Maya literally knocked over the opposing libero. On the next point, she set up Aoife - who has improved dramatically since August and mashed the ball directly into the ground. It didn't stop there.
"I think I might do some hitting today," Claire told me this morning - perhaps the understatement of the century. Off a perfect set from Emory, Claire hit a cross court smash right through the WCDS blockers, giving Tandem a 9-2 advantage. The team didn't let up - Maya dove to dig out a hit from the opponent, and then sprinted back into position just as Emory set the ball - she knew Maya would be there - and so did the opponent who backed away and hoped the ball would be out of bounds. Spoiler alert - it was not.
 
Sophie closed out the first set with the first of many balls she redirected at the net - in this case using her left hand! The Badgers took the opening set 25-11, and started the second with the same kind of energy. Emory accounted for the first four points from the service line, including two aces, and then Maya did the same. It was 4-2 when Emory set Sophie for a vicious hit - easily clocked at over 100 MPH as it descended to the floor. 
 
After an impossible to return ace from Claire, we got Althea in the middle. There are lots of fun moments in Tandem Volleyball matches, and I am particularly partial to Althea - in the center of the net - absolutely obliterating the ball over players twice her size. She had two such smashes in the second set, and the Badgers were up 9-5 before Sophie had three consecutive perfectly placed aces! The team led 12-5 when WCDS took a timeout. Like Petunia during her math quiz, they were searching for answers that are just not there.
 
Building on their lead, Aoife had several intimidating hits at the net - and tennis style serves from the service line - resulting in four aces. Tandem built up a 17-8 lead, and Claire closed out the set with another cross court hit at the net and an ace to bring it home - Tandem's best set of the season 25-10.
 
The Badgers won 3-0 in less than an hour, and the third set was much like the first two. Tandem closed out the contest winning 25-13, highlighted by great defense from Sophie and Zella, Emory's five point service streak, Ginger's dominant play at the net, and Sophie using her left hand at net - finding the perfect spot!
 
The Badger Den was on fire this afternoon - thanks to our families, teachers, students, and friends for providing great energy and a special thanks to Elle and Sam for running the scoreboard. Much appreciated!
 
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Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
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