Week #7 - A Legendary Double Header: Tandem Volleyball Gives Monticello a Match They'll Never Forget

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
Girls Varsity Volleyball - "The Varsity Volleyball team has a home game - today - against Monticello. Last year we took one set off of them, and this year we're going to take two!" It was August of 2024, and Chloe, the Senior Captain, implored the Tandem community to come out and support the team. The odds of winning any sets at all were incredibly low - Monticello has 11 times the number of students - but we did win two sets that day. They made us work for it - Maya - then a sophomore - did her best superhero impression as she dove as if she were going into a swimming pool in front of the Tandem bench. It was the most epic volleyball moment I have ever seen. With a pancake save, and a 25-24 lead in the fourth set, Maya flicked the ball back over the net, sending the game into a 5th set.
 
We were scheduled to play Monticello a second time that season, but they cancelled the rematch, fearful that they might struggle against the little school from across the street on their home court. We'll never know what the outcome would have been, but I have an idea. This season we took on Monticello early in the season - on the road - and it was quite a battle. The Badgers took the second set, and while we lost 3-1, Tandem scored at least twenty points in all four sets. The stage was set for a rematch - this time in the Badger Den.
Emory and Maya each opened their service opportunities with aces, and the match was close early on. It was particularly exciting to watch Sophie figure out how to beat the Monticello blockers - first she slammed the ball between them - and they took note of that - protecting the middle of the net. Then, later in the set, Sophie tipped the ball over their outstretched arms, and toward the sideline, leaving the opposing defense exposed. The team trailed 9-7 when Emory leapt into the front row of the bleachers, saving the ball as she visited her family, and then watching Maya drill the ball from the back row.  
 
With the score tied at 10-10, Monticello's strongest hitter drilled the ball into the middle of the court. Claire, playing as the "Li-Claire-o," made an unbelievable save, which doubled as a perfect pass to Emory, who set Maya up for one of her patented cross-court hits. Monticello wound up for another big hit on the next rally, but Emory absorbed all that power into a critical block. The rally continued until Ella saved the ball at a wild angle in front of the Tandem bench, keeping the score tied as the momentum went back and forth.
 
One of our most reliable and consistent servers, Claire ran off three consecutive points, including an ace, giving Tandem a 15-12 lead. Monticello would rally, but Althea took on a serve that seemed to be floating with a funny spin, and passed it right to Emory who found Maya for another big point. Following Aoife's block in the middle and Maya's ace, the Badgers led 19-17.
 
Tandem did not stop there, extending the lead to five when Maya hit the ball so hard across the court that it made gravity reconsider its job. Moments later, Aoife had an epic slam at the net, and Maya went to the service line, where Monticello called both of their timeouts. The Badgers completed their set with an epic pancake save from Claire, passing it right to Emory who set Sophie on the outside. Sophie hit the ball so hard that it deflected off their blockers out of bounds, and Tandem took the opening set 25-21.
 
Leading 1-0, the Badgers continued to shine. With the defense expecting a swing and smash, Aoife provided an early tip, and Althea had a big hit, giving the Badgers the momentum in the beginning of the set. Afterwards, Aoife invited her competition to a block party, and then slammed an ace over the net. The team led 13-10 and Monticello called a timeout. It looked like Monticello would retake the momentum, as they set their top hitter for three mega hits during the next rally - but Sophie's defense was so strong that every single ball made it's way back to Emory, and ended with Althea winning at the net.
 
The second set was tied at 14 before Sophie ran off a sequence of aces. Monticello would push it to 19-19 before Aoife had a big time block - and then Emory set Aoife for a kill at the end of an extended rally. Aoife finished the set with an ace, as Tandem took a 2-0 lead 25-21.
 
The Badgers would dominate the early portion of the third set as well, with Maya running off three consecutive aces. The team led 5-2 before a Monticello rally, which was eventually broken up by a big Althea hit. Facing an 18-13 deficit, Claire's defense was essential, hitting the floor as she made a number of difficult saves, setting up Aoife for back to back kills. Down only three, Tandem set Sophie, who used the palm of her hand to redirect the ball across court. Sophie certainly had those blockers figured out! Monticello would take the set 25-19, but the Badgers made them work for it!
 
In the fourth set, Tandem was down 8-4 before Coach Anna called timeout. The team reset, and between an Althea tip and an Aoife service sequence, the game was tied once again. Emory set Maya for a back row smash which just barely cleared the net and crashed to the floor. Maya continued to put pressure on the Monticello front line, hitting right through them, as the Badgers cut the lead to three, 19-16. Sophie would continue her prowess on the outside, but Monticello pulled away 25-18.
 
Maya had the first point of the 5th set - a beautiful hit right down the line. Aoife had the second - a massive block in the middle followed by a big hit on the ensuing rally. Emory would later set Sophie, giving Tandem a 4-2 lead. The team continued their push - well past 9:00 pm - with Maya saving the ball in the back line and Sophie drilling it into the back corner. It was 9-5 when Monticello called their first timeout and 14-12 when they called their second.
 
Tandem Friends School went toe to toe with Monticello, pushing them to the very last point of the very last set. A five set match, with the Badgers taking the first two. It's remarkable - truly - for these ten players to represent Tandem as they take on a school 11 times their size. Honestly, what a feat. I could not be more proud of this group of athletes, who left it all on the court tonight. Absolutely remarkable - the defense - the hitting - the diving into the crowd - the effort was off the charts, and the result equally impressive. Cheers to you, Tandem Varsity Volleyball! We'll remember this one forever. Truly, what a match. That was awesome. One schedule note: Senior Night will be held following the game on 10/13 vs Veritas at 4:30 in the Badger Den. That is the last chance to see this squad at home!
 
Girls JV Volleyball - Trailing 14-9 in the third set, Zoey made the long walk back to the service line. Her overhand serves, full of topspin, had been frustrating the opponent all afternoon. In the second set, Zoey ran off three consecutive points, an impressive streak. Still, to stay in the match, the team would need at least five.
 
Running through her pre-serve routine, Zoey was calm. There was no need for a deep breath because there was no spike in her heart rate - for Zoey, it was just another serve. She tossed the ball, which traveled to the right side of the court. Monticello managed to deflect it, sending it to one of their hitters, who drilled the ball into the net. 14-10.
 
On the next serve, Zoey tried the middle of the Monticello defense. The ball fell harmlessly to the ground. 14-11.  With a nice pass to the setter, Monticello redirected the ball to Tandem's side - Emory got under it - and pushed it into the back left corner of the court. Nobody was home. 14-12.  Zoey tossed the ball into the air, smashing it towards the sideline. Monticello would pass it to the front, and load up for a big hit - with game-winning aspirations. Makayah saved the ball on the other end, and set Hadley who pushed the ball over the net. 14-13. Monticello called timeout.
 
Not rattled in the slightest, Zoey fired another serve towards the back line. Monticello was able to get under it, but settled for a free ball, which found it's way to Makayah, who passed it to Sam. With a perfect touch, Sam set Zuri for a smash. 14-14. Zoey tossed the ball for her sixth consecutive serve, and Monticello was unable to return it. All of a sudden, Tandem was in position to win the match, and the team rose to the occasion. Supported by exceptional defense, Zoey ran off seven consecutive points from the service line, giving Tandem their second ultra dramatic victory of the season - improving their record to 3-3!
 
It was a day of clutch performances. Emory took the ball for Tandem's first service opportunity trailing 3-0 in the first set, and fired a powerful ace! Sam set Marilyn for a vicious hit from the middle, and with the score tied at 5-5, Chloe went on a service tear! Her constantly spinning underhand serve is super tricky to track, and the Badgers took a 9-6 lead. Strong play continued with a big ace from Nieve (her serve is vicious!), an amazing dig from Chloe, and Marilyn's strong play at the net.
 
With the score tied at 11-11, Nieve had an amazing free ball kill - sending the ball back over her head from a challenging angle in front of the bench. Marilyn made an excellent pass to Zoey who set Zuri for a get-out-of-the-way smash, and Tandem led 14-12. Oliver also had a big point at the net. Tandem kept the set close: Emory had two more aces and Sam passed to Nieve who returned the ball to Sam for a clutch hit.  With Tandem trailing late in the set, Sam kept a deep ball alive, Marilyn dove to keep it in play, and Chloe managed to get it over the net! The Badgers dropped a close set 25-23.
 
Makayah and Zoey combined for excellent defense in the second set - and after Zoey and Elle had some excellent overhand serves, the team led 9-3 and never looked back. Makayah had a perfect pass to Zoey - who set Zuri for another huge hit! Makayah was amazing, neutralizing opposing hitters, and Elle took advantage, showing off her improved power at the net!
 
With Elle at the line, the lead ballooned to 19-12. Monticello called timeout, but it was too late - she and Zoey served out the set - with the Badgers forcing the aforementioned third set, 25-14. Much like the Varsity game mentioned above, it's truly remarkable that we are able to compete with the big public school across the street - but this incredible JV Volleyball team did more than compete - they won! Cheers to Zoey on her epic service streak, and to all of these Badgers on a big time victory on their home court.
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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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