Wave Volleyball Proves Resilient But Falls in Five at Dig Pink

By Amanda Sload

The Girls Volleyball Team took on Staples this Friday (10/11) while supporting breast cancer research with ticket sales and fundraising. While the breast cancer support was successful, the game ended in a loss for the Blue Wave. 

Darien was undefeated coming into this week, but the team lost its game on Wednesday to undefeated Greenwich in four sets. Staples entered the game with an identical 10-1 record, its lone loss also to Greenwich. 

The first set for the Blue Wave was a struggle.  The team went down early and was unable to make up the difference; the set went to Staples by the dominant margin of 25-10. 

Despite the slow start, Darien picked it up dramatically in the second set. They once again fell behind initially, but they were able to fight back and tie the score at 9 apiece. The rest of the set was a see saw battle, but Darien was able to pull through and secure the set 25-23 to the delight of the raucous pink clad home crowd.

The girls played their most consistent volleyball of the night in taking the third set as they cruised to a 25-18 win behind excellent passing and serving.  

The Blue Wave looked to put the match away in the fourth set, which was once again a great effort. Again, the Blue Wave dominated the early action and needed only 4 points to secure the victory, leading 21-13, but couldn't put Staples away.  A long service run by Staples brought them back into the game and they took the last two points to win 25-23 setting up a decisive fifth and final set. 

Although the Blue Wave fell behind early in the fifth, 2-10, the girls didn’t let up, inspired by the ever-louder crowd. From there, they allowed Staples only four points while gaining 10 themselves through a combination of great defense and excellent passing and killing.  The team closed to within 14-12, however their slow start in the shortened set (a fifth set only goes to fifteen) proved to be the difference maker as Staples pulled out the win. 

Despite the disappointing end, there were many positives to the game. The Blue Wave proved their determination multiple times with their outstanding comeback following a decisive first set loss as well as a slow fifth set start. The young team, although at times inconsistent, also showed the capability to play State Championship quality volleyball, a level they will need to play when they face Greenwich and Staples again in FCIACs.

“We had a great turnout with the crowd,” junior captain Celia Martzolf said. “It was a close game and they played well. We’re excited to face them again later in the season.”

Notable players include sophomore Izzy Taylor with 15 kills, 13 service points, and 12 digs; Martzolf with 30 assists, 6 service points, and 8 digs; Nicole Schmidt with 10 kills, 16 service points, and 17 digs; junior Claire Naughton with 7 kills and 5 blocks; junior Keli Reyes with 26 digs; and freshman Sami Huff with 4 kills.

Junior Claire Naughton goes for the kill in Friday’s
Dig Pink game (Credit: Darien Athletic Foundation)