V-ball Crushes Taft, Hotchkiss in Straight Sets

The Big Red girls’ volleyball team kicked off its 2017-18 season with two statement victories against Taft and Hotchkiss last Saturday. The girls defeated Taft in three games with scores of 25-16, 25-10, 25-22, and Hotchkiss in three games with scores of 25-16, 25-23, 25-9.

“The captains were our leaders and the best cheerleaders! They maintained our energy on the court.”

Exeter’s players anticipated tough competition, since Taft’s volleyball team placed second in the league at last year’s New England championships.

Upper Tara Weil believes Exeter’s triumph against Taft is a “good sign” of the team’s potential this season. The fact that Big Red didn’t drop a single set to last year’s runner-ups bodes well for the team’s future.

“[The game] was very validating for our team, especially against such a strong team like Taft’s team. This win has me excited for what’s coming,” Weil said.

Despite a tight match in the second game against Hotchkiss, Exeter’s players maintained their vigor through all six games. “In the second Hotchkiss game, we lost a bit of our control and we went out of system. But we kept our energy up and stayed focused,” said upper Jenny Yang. “We also had a lot of good communication and covered each other and communicated well to get the ball over the net for our hard-earned win.”

Yang was one of Saturday’s standout players. She set a crucial hit in the third game against Hotchkiss, carrying Big Red to a staggering victory.

“Jenny always sets a perfect hit and we always get a great kill-off. But this time she set the ball just lightly over the net, rather than setting up for a kill, and the ball just landed exactly where it should have,” Weil remembered. “It was the most beautiful set I have ever seen in my life.”

Upper Sophie Faliero acknowledged the encouragement and enthusiasm of captains and seniors Margaret Kraus and Charlotte Polk throughout the games. “The captains were our leaders and the best cheerleaders! They maintained our energy on the court,” she said. “They were always cheering. Even when we lost a couple of points they kept us focused by encouraging us to move on to the next play.”

Prep Brody Faliero credited the team’s breakout performance to its rigorous workouts, which included scrimmages and strategizing “out-of-system” plays, as well as the “hype” leading up to the games.

Weil expressed her satisfaction in the girls’ teamwork. “We are a strong ensemble. It was a team effort and we all played to the best of our ability,” she said. “Winning is a bonus, but playing for the team is what we do the best.”

Now 2-0 on the season, the volleyball team looks to extend its win streak. Next up on the team’s list is BB&N. Girls’ volleyball has won the New England championships two out of the last three years and it hopes to return to the throne at the end of fall term.