Week #5: Varsity Soccer and Volleyball Win Close Contests with WCDS

With an awesome through ball, Luca found a cutting Oscar who sent the ball wide to Van. Keeping possession, Van delivered a smooth pass to Levi who fired a cross into the box for Mason, who got off another powerful shot. The team was constantly on the offensive, with King working the left side, and Shaan in the middle. On one occasion, Shaan found King for a shot, keeping WCDS and their defense busy.  

 

Tandem dominated time of possession in the opening stanza, but WCDS did have a solid scoring opportunity late in the half. They had a breakaway and fired off a tough shot at Levi, who was up to the task. He had a beautiful save, and then Seamus cleared the rebound out of the box. The Badgers went to halftime looking strong, but the game was still tied 0-0.

 

Picking up right where they left off, Shaan found Van early in the half for a big shot. WCDS was able to save it, and send it back to midfield. When they got there, Owen stole the ball as per usual and cleared it to Levi. From there, the passing was exceptionally precise - Seamus found Oscar in the middle, who delivered a pass to Mason for another shot.

 

The natives were getting restless after sixty minutes of scoreless soccer, and then the floodgates opened. Levi passed the ball to Oscar, who split the defense, and broke the tie, giving Tandem a 1-0 lead. Moments later, Levi fired a massive shot from the 18 and hit the post. Tandem got the rebound, passed the ball around the outside, and got it to Van who had perfect placement just over the outstretched arms of the goalie! Shaan, showing off a video-game like spin move, dribbled through the defense to add the third goal, putting the game on ice! WCDS had one more scoring chance, but Owen's exceptional 100 meter speed took over as he caught the opposing striker who had a five second head start. Owen is so fast, gritty and determined - exactly what you want in a defensive midfielder!

 

The Badgers played through a tough first half, worked together, and finished the second half with three big goals! Tandem improves their record to 3-2! Congratulations to the Varsity Soccer Badgers, and to Coaches Nemanja and Nile! The team returns to action at home on Monday, September 22 at 4:30 vs Grace Christian.  See you on the hill!

 

 

With a calm and focused energy, Emory took the court for her first start of the season. She, like many of the other Badgers, were playing a new position today. With a few players absent, Tandem had to be flexible and experiment with new rotations. Zella and Claire were awesome outside hitters! Maya and Lola both played in the middle! Emory, taking on a new role of starting setter, proved to be just the leader the team needed as they took on WCDS this afternoon.

 

The first set featured a flurry of quality serves. Claire's serve is nearly impossible to return - it barely clears the net and immediately takes a nose dive as soon as it's on the other side of the court. Additionally, it is launched so hard that players are forced to step back, and are often knocked over, when they try to return it. The Badgers, on the strength of Claire's service run, were ahead early. Lola was terrifying - smashing kills from her favorite position on the outside, but also defending the back line beautifully with digs and a three ball kill.

 

When Maya made her way to the service line, she increased the lead to five, 13-8. Then Emory snuck in some aces to the tune of "she's a freshman" from her adoring fans, and Zella did the same - as the Badgers went up 21-9. With an assist from Lola, Emory hit the ball right into the doughnut, and WCDS couldn't get there in time! To close out the set, Claire chased a ball all the way to the backline. She got her hands under it, sending it high in the air. Lola found it, flying into position, and bumping it to Emory who closed out the set. Tandem took a 1-0 lead on the strength of a 25-11 start to the match!

 

The Badgers were down late in the second set, when Cora had a key dig to save the point! After that, Maya worked off four aces in a row. Taylor protected the back line, and Emory set Elisabeth for a big hit! WCDS was ahead 22-20, before Emory served to tie the game. The Badgers tied the set, but WCDS ended up taking it 25-23.

 

Tied at one set apiece, Tandem struggled early in the third. WCDS led 8-1, but the Badgers battled back. Emory had another sequence of aces, Lola had a massive cross court hit, and Claire had a big ace right on the line, but the Badgers dropped the third set 25-23.

 

It would have been easy for Tandem to fold down 2-1. It's been a long week already - they had a tough game at Eastern Mennonite on Tuesday. Instead, the fourth set opened with Lola in the middle - not her normal position - but one that made all the difference for the home team! The set opened with an outside hit from Claire that shook the building, and the Badgers led early. Lola was awesome in her new role, and Tandem was up 9-3 as Zella had a three ball kill to the backline! WCDS couldn't get anything past Tandem's back row - Althea dove for several digs, and Lola did the same. Firing on all cylinders, Emory set Maya in the back row - giving Tandem a 19-9 lead. The Badgers would go on to win the set 25-12 and tie the match 2-2.

 

With the fifth set only played to fifteen points, it is critical to get off to a fast start. Claire was INCREDIBLE in the home stretch of the decisive set. She had four consecutive aces, leaving the opponent shaking their heads, as Tandem opened with a 5-1 lead! At the net, it was Middle Hitter Lola smashing the ball back over the net and blocking opposing hits! Meanwhile, Maya was busy firing cross court lasers. Tandem opened up a big lead and never gave it back, winning the third set 15-10 and finishing with a 3-2 victory over WCDS!

 

"Normally a five set match has a small point differential of five or fewer points. Today, Tandem outscored WCDS by 27," Seth informed me after the match. The final score was close - but Tandem cleared showed how strong of a team they are!

 

I am very proud of the resilience of this team! With an awesome crowd behind them (thanks to everybody for your support) they earned a gritty win! Players played outside of their preferred positions - and came away with an exciting victory! There is no rest for the weary, the Badgers return to action Friday at Foxcroft at 3:30.  Hope to see you there!