Week #3 - Clutch Serving in the Third Set: Badgers Win Their Season Opener!

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
Middle School Girls Volleyball - With the match tied at one set apiece, Juno, Sage, Vex, Livia and Nora took the court. The Badgers relied on outstanding service play and a few exciting rallies as they made the push for 15 points. Juno served first, showing off the excellent underhand technique she has been working on. Sage was next, achieving two powerful aces along the way! The Badgers trailed 8-3 when Kenly walked to the line for the first time in a Tandem uniform. Her debut was one to remember - running off four strong serves and consecutive points! Kenly cutting the CDS lead to 1! Each serve landed right in the middle of the defense, impossible to return.  
 
The Badgers were still trailing 14-9 when Rory returned to the game. For a different player, the pressure and moment may have been too much. Rory stepped to the line and hammered over an ace into the back right corner, like she has done so many times before. Trailing by four, she did it again, cutting the lead to 14-11. Then a third time, as she aimed for the back row - running off another two points. It was 14-13 when CDS finally got a pass on the ball, sending it over the net to the waiting arms of Valentina. She passed it to Sage who got the ball back to Rory, and the game was tied. After Rory gave Tandem a 15-14 lead on yet another ace, CDS called timeout - hoping to ice the server. Rory remained calm, took a deep breath, and gave Tandem their first win of this young season, 2-1!
After diving and sliding up and down the hallway all day, it was very clear that the Badgers were ready for their opening game. The heat was not on our side, as the team missed practice this week - but the team got organized and into position as soon as they walked in the door. Learning on the fly, Valentina passed the ball to Olivia for Tandem's first point of the season. The team also got key contributions from Annie, who was excellent defensively, setting up both Isla and Hattie for kills. Hattie was constantly on the floor, diving for every free ball, and the Badgers took a 9-3 lead. With some strong passing and an ace from Annie, Tandem won the first set 25-17.
 
Willa was on fire to start the second, her underhand serve creating considerable challenges for the opponent.  With a few aces in the books, Tandem led 3-0 before Mae made an excellent dig! Lucy did a fine job in the middle, and we saw great teamwork from Dania - who passed the ball to Willa. Willa set it right back to Dania for a big hit right over the net! The second set also featured big serves from Teagan, a couple of aces, while Maddy took some big swings in the front row. It was a big compliment and recognition of her skills when Annie was subbed back into the match - the coaches showed great confidence in her defensive ability. Annie responded with a dig and an ace and the team immediately had the most exciting rally of the day - the ball shooting back and forth over the net six times. CDS took the second set, 25-18.
 
Then came the aforementioned amazing serving and incredible comeback! Congratulations to the MS Volleyball Badgers! With some incredibly clutch serving from Sage, Kenly and Rory, the team emerged victorious in their first game of the season! 
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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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