Week #10 - Exciting Volleyball Double Header

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
Middle School Volleyball - A huge thank you to Kimberly Sheffield for organizing our “Pack the Gym in Pink” night! It was wonderful to see all of the families and friends in pink, and the players wearing bows in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Badgers played at a high level from the very beginning, with Olivia at the service line. Annie impressed us all with her accurate passing, finding her teammates easily no matter how hard the ball was hit. The first set featured massive hits from Rory, who also smashed five consecutive jump serves to give Tandem an early lead. Isla was effective at the net, getting great sets from Willa, while Dania's passing was on point. It was Hattie whose beautiful free ball kill and serving closed out the set, and the Badgers won the first stanza 25-19.

Lucy started the second set in the middle, and she was everywhere. Dania had an excellent pass, and Vex and Livia each kept rallies alive. The Badgers energy was on point this afternoon, and as new players entered during the second set, the team continued their success. Kenley, Maddie and Juno both played the front row, while Pearl and Teagan set up in the back. Waldorf took the second set 25-22, and there were lots of exciting rallies. That set up quite the tie-breaker!
Sage, Pia and Nora were all excellent at the net this afternoon. Pia and Nora both had key passes, and Nora a tip, forcing Waldorf to return the ball right at the net. Sage also delivered several key serves in the final set.  Tandem trailed 5-3 when Sage took the ball to the line, and the team rallied from that point. Olivia had an amazing save, pushing the ball back on two, and Rory then found a free ball spot in the middle. The Badgers took the lead for good, 14-13, when Willa dumped the ball over in the perfect place, and Rory's big hit at the end gave Tandem a 15-13 win in the final set, and a 2-1 win in the match.
 
Three cheers for Elle, who has now officiated our Middle School games twice, and done a phenomenal job.  When the ref arrived late, he deferred to Elle, who had complete command of the court.  Thanks also to Maeve and Sam for doing the scoreboard.

Cheers to the Middle School Girls Volleyball team on an incredible season to date! This afternoon showed incredible growth! The team returns to action twice more - both on the road.  
 
JV Girls Volleyball - Fresh off their dominant win at Millwood, the JV Girls Volleyball team continued their high level play. The Badgers are in the midst of an incredible season, and Zoey got the magic started, setting Elle for a huge smash in the middle. The Emory Era lasted for the first five points of the opening set, with Tandem winning the coin toss and making it last. 

The Badgers were up 5-1 when Nieve came in to serve. She is one of many players who has improved their overhand serve dramatically - her percentage and power have jumped enormously, and the same should be said for Maeve and Marilyn as well. Speaking of Marilyn, Chloe made an amazing pass to Zoey who set Marilyn for a big hit at the net. The Badgers trailed 10-13 when she then went to the service line, rattling off three big time serves in a row.
 
The rallies in the first set were incredible, with Emory diving everywhere and Zuri obliterating the ball at the net. The Badgers were down 21-16 before rallying to cut the lead to 2, but dropped the opening set 25-19.  
 
In the second set, Sam got to work. Emory's incredible pass put Zoey in position to set Sam who reared back and clobbered the ball through the defense. Elle's jump serve was on point, as Tandem led early 5-3.  Marilyn did it again - with a serve that traveled at such an angle that it barely cleared the net before dropping to the floor like a rock. The team was down 13-7, but Marilyn's service streak pushed the game to a tie. Zuri also had several powerful serves!
 
As Monticello went for a big hit, Elle sprung to the net, blocking the ball with ease. The set was tied 13-13, and then again 16-16, when Makayah passed it to Maeve who set Sam for a big hit. The Badgers would drop the set after a few tight rallies, but going 1-1 on consecutive days is very solid!
 
The JV Girls return to action once more, on Friday, as part of our Tandem Day Celebration. The team will play at 4:15 in their final contest of the season against Miller, the last fall event in the Badger Den.  Don't miss it!
 
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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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