Week #5: JV Volleyball Badgers Make History in Exciting Friday Double Header

ACS was no pushover, and they took an early lead in the first set. Tandem's first point came after Elle got low to pass the ball to Maeve, who set Nieve for a powerful hit on the left side. Nieve's smash went right past the middle hitter for the opponent. Oliver had a free ball kill and Birthday Marilyn (you get to celebrate for at least a week!) had an impressive ace. The score was tied 4-4. Zoey was everywhere this evening, positioning herself for an excellent dig, which she sent to Nieve who passed the ball to Elle. With a full swing, Elle knocked that ball into next week - causing the entire ACS front line to take two steps back. Chloe was next in the rotation, and her underhand serve was constantly moving - spinning right to left - and after three straight aces, the Badgers forced ACS to call a time out.  

 

The longest rally of the match featured Nieve's amazing defense - moving her feet, setting her platform, and passing the ball perfectly to Zoey - who was excellent at the net tonight. She set Oliver for a beautiful hit - a perfect spot in the back corner - and the Badgers took an 11-6 lead.

Nieve kept the pressure on - she knocked through an ace for the 4th match in a row! When ACS did return the ball, they set their middle hitter for a monster slam. She wound up and hit the ball with all her might - and Elle blocked that ball so hard that we may need to replace that portion of the hardwood!

 

The team was fired up, and rightfully so, as it was Chloe's turn in the rotation. She served the ball just inside the line, earning Tandem another point. Birthday Marilyn was fabulous at the net - smashing hits left and right - while Oliver kept finding the corners! Tandem led 15-7, and continued to build the lead with an ace from Elle!

ACS would make a comeback, cutting the lead to 2 points. Maeve, who played the match of her life, hit a free ball right into the perfect spot in the middle. On the next sequence, Elle continued her block party, and you were all invited. The Badgers led 22-20 on a point where Marilyn, Oliver and Nieve all hit the deck - diving well beyond the sidelines to keep the point alive! The momentum was flowing, and Chloe delivered a big time ace! ACS was able to return the next serve but Maeve set Elle for a huge slam and the Badgers took the first set 25-20!

 

The second set started much like the first - Emory had a powerful ace. I was at the scorer's table, but I covered my head anyways. Makayah followed it up with an ace of her own, and the team led 3-1. The second set squad showed off serious power as Zuri passed to Zoey who set Sam for an intimidating slam! Sam carried the ball to the back line and added an ace of her own, Elle and Zuri had some serious hits, and Tandem led 8-6.

 

ACS kept coming - they put a few points together and took the lead. It was Zoey who changed the momentum, diving with full extension well beyond the service line, and somehow saving the ball to Emory who completed the play with a free ball kill. Then the E-Train left the station - tearing off five serves in a row, and the Badgers were back ahead 14-9. A timeout changed nothing for Emory's approach; she just kept smashing the heck out of the ball. 

 

ACS rallied again - tying the score at 15 - before Zuri guided the ball over at the net, giving Tandem the lead. Elle and Zuri were an unstoppable combination - hitting hard! With the score tied at 20, Maeve took a pass from Sam and flicked it over with her patented hit, and the Badgers took the lead. Hadley had a serious block at the net, Emory had an incredible dig against a tough server, and Hadley finished it with a big hit to give the JV Tandem Volleyball team their first 2-0 victory in over 100 matches, 25-23!

 

Congratulations to our JV Volleyball Badgers - all 12 players contributed at a high level to this historic day! What a moment for Coach Elize, Captains Emory and Elle, and this incredible team, winning their second match in a row! 

 

Varsity Girls Volleyball - On Tuesday evening, the Girls Varsity Volleyball Badgers pushed cross-town rival STAB to five sets. It's incredible that the STAB game is close at all - they're a much bigger school with blockers and hitters that measure 6'5" - but Tandem was unafraid of their opponent, despite a 2-0 deficit, and the team won sets 3 and 4 and nearly pulled off a reverse sweep! That extraordinary effort continued this evening. 

 

The starting back row of Zella, Sophie and Claire is truly a marvel to behold. It does not matter how hard the ball is hit, how low to the ground or even where it's located - including the third row of the bleachers. No matter how hard the ball is hit, they will find it, save it, and return it. The Badgers came out strong early, with Maya's cross-court lightning rod striking an appropriate amount of fear in the opponent. Between her hitting and Aoife's early service streak - three aces that started so high and ended just barely over the net - the Badgers trailed 8-6 early, when Emory set Sophie for a massive hit through the outstretched arms of the blockers. 

 

ACS took a big lead early, 21-10, but Tandem kept fighting. Maya dug out a tricky serve, and Emory set Ella for a kill off the left side. On the next ACS serve, Zella dove for a pancake save, and the ball made it's way towards the bleachers. Sophie, at full extension, dove towards the student section. She was able to swing her head around towards the court, and contorted her body in such a way that she was able to get her left fist up to keep the ball alive - saving it to extend a rally that ended in a big hit for Aoife!

 

In the second set, Emory was on fire! She opened with her two serves that dropped off the table, and then set Maya for a cross-court slam! The Badgers led 3-0 before an ACS rally. After a timeout, Althea drilled the ball from her position on the right side - past the blockers and into the corner - returning the momentum to Tandem and the crowd! Sophie, moments later, had a similar smash - her improvement from last season has been truly remarkable!

 

Trailing by 5 late in the set, Zella dug out a tough serve. The ball went into the net, where Emory was able to get a hand on it, sending it back into the net. With an improbable spin, Ella managed to get the ball back over the net on three! The Badgers cut the lead to 19-15, and Claire kept chipping away with a sequence of aces!  ACS called timeout, but Claire kept right on smashing the ball, and Tandem took the lead - an impressive comeback.

 

With their backs against the wall, the Badgers continued to battle in the third set. Sophie hit an ace right down the line. Emory had two slams right at the net in a row, and Tandem took control of the net, forcing a timeout. Down 10-9, the team kept the pressure on - Maya hit another unreturnable shot to the back line, and moments later, she smashed one right between the blockers!  

 

In one sequence, both Maya and Emory literally ran/dove into the bleachers to save the ball. Actions speak louder than words, and these two leaders gave it their absolute all during an exciting match this afternoon!