Week #6 - Making Noise on the Road: Badgers Wrap Up Busy Week with a Win!

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
Foxcroft's gymnasium is like a library, and the Badgers are a quick study.  Lola took charge during the pregame huddle: "let's shake off the long bus ride and get off to a fast start!" Message received. The beginning of the first set included five consecutive aces from Maya and a vicious hit from Cora right into the middle over the blocker! With the score 7-2, Foxcroft scrambled on three and weakly hit the ball back over the net. It never got to Tandem's side, because Elisabeth wound up and smashed it back onto the floor! On the outside, Lola was in her bag: between her big swings to the back corner and soft tips into the middle of the floor, she had the opponent rattled. Zella was also strong from the service line, and before you knew it, Tandem was up 11, 15-4. Foxcroft made a short run at the end of the set, but a sequence of massive hits from Maya set up Emory to serve it out. Tandem won the opening set 25-12.
It was still pretty quiet in the library, so Sofia reminded the team "we've got to create our own energy!" The Badgers were dancing between timeouts, bringing Althea back to life after a three ball kill and cheering on one another as the team got rolling - as relaxed as any squad you've ever seen. I felt pretty calm when Maya and Zella ran off six straight aces to open the set. When Foxcroft finally got their chance to serve, Taylor had a beautiful pass from the backline to Sofia who set Emory for a big time hit from the middle. Moments later, there was a surprise Sofia Slam, and Tandem forced an early timeout. With a 14-6 lead, Foxcroft tried to hit the ball harder, only to get blocked by the outstretched arms of Elisabeth in the middle. The Badgers were incredible during every long rally, with players saving the ball on the sidelines, diving on the floor, and digging it out of the net. Claire had a number of excellent digs, creating more scoring opportunities for Althea and Maya on the outside. Sofia finished the set with an ace, Tandem was up 2-0 after winning the second set 25-13.
 
The Badgers opened the third set on fire. Lola hit the floor with an excellent dig, Maya had more aces (what else is new?) and Fia beautifully set Cora for a huge hit on the right side. Elisabeth and Lola both had big hits and after a Cora tip, Foxcroft called timeout. The Badgers led 18-13, but Foxcroft would not go down easily. The teams went back and forth, with Foxcroft hitting hard into the middle. Tandem trailed 24-23, but got the point on a big hit from Lola to tie. Foxcroft rallied, surviving the third set, 26-24.
 
The Badgers were not amused. They held their heads high, got back to work, and got the job done. The fourth set was full of highlights: Fia opened with an ace, Emory had a furious block, and Elisabeth launched a big swing down the middle. With the score tied at 8, Lola took the game into her hands. She had a sequence of quality serves, a kill that screeched a little too loud for a library and a pass to Sofia who set Althea for a big time hit! The Badgers led 21-16, and closed it out with Zella at the service line, 25-20!
 
What an excellent day for the Badgers, who continue to improve during a busy week! They played three matches, each better than the last, and won two in a row! Tandem improved their record to 3-3 and 2-1 in the GPAC. They return to action next week against RMA in the Badger Den at 4pm on Wednesday. Then, on Friday, they'll travel to Stuart Hall for a 5:15 start.
 
Three cheers for Seth, whose volleyball IQ matched that of any book in the Foxcroft library. He was calm, articulate, strategic and clever - and there is no way I could have coached my first match without him. Thank you so much, Seth!
 
What a fun day with a wonderful group of Badgers. They were just as fun on the court as they were in our getaway car: I'll remember it all too well.
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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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