This Week in Sports - Week #12

11/8/2024

2024 Tandem Girls Varsity Volleyball - A Joyful Season to Remember

When I met with Coach Kiwii over the summer, I asked her what goals she had for the season. "That's up to my players," she told me. "We'll see what kind of team they want to be." Once the ball was tossed into the air for the first serve of the season, we knew exactly what team they would be! This group of Badgers plays with an enormous level of talent and teamwork, matched only by their determination and grit. When Monticello arrived for the battle of Mill Creek, the Badger Den was jam packed - and Tandem played their hearts out, pushing our much larger neighbor to five very close sets. The next day in practice, the team made a declaration: we want to play in the 2024 VISAA State Tournament!

Tonight, the Badgers realized their goal - taking the floor against top seeded (28-1-1) Timberlake Christian, and giving their opponent all they could handle. How did they do it? Tandem dominated the early portion of their schedule - beating Quantico and Wakefield 3-1. Then the team really hit their stride, with 3-0 wins against RMA, WCDS, Foxcroft and Wakefield, amassing an unprecedented 20 consecutive victorious sets in a row!! These matches were not close either, with Tandem holding their opponents to single digit point totals in each set!

Hungry for a challenge, the Badgers travelled to play a tough Eastern Mennonite team on the road. At the time, EMS was ranked ahead of Tandem in the standings, but the Badgers beat them 3-1! When Maggie's ace marked the ending of the match, Tandem began their final push to accomplish their goal, moving from #10 to #9 in the rankings. Later that week, the Badgers beat KAA at home 3-1 and Quantico 3-0, before dominating cross-town rival Miller on Senior Night! What a week!

With their bid to states still up in the air, this team gave it their all for a stretch that included 4 games in 5 days, and the GPAC Tournament, in which Tandem finished 2nd. By that point, it became clear, the Badgers had moved from 9th to 8th - earning an opportunity to fulfill their goal and play in the Virginia state tournament!

Tonight was a fitting tribute to an inspiring team that has approached every point with attention to detail, power and precision. They have worked together beautifully - with positive energy and enthusiasm before and after the ball goes in the air. Tonight, on the road against a challenging environment, the Badgers continued to make us proud - as they stayed present and recognized the long journey they had taken to arrive at this moment.

Timberlake had some big hitters, and Golden and Maggie were ready for the task. The Badgers scored the first point of the match on a beautiful dig from Golden, setting up Tessa for a massive swing. Lola had the first of her 10 kills tonight off a beautiful set from Sofia, made possible by Tessa's parallel to the floor dive - an amazing effort - to dig out a big serve. Tandem got low tonight, diving for every ball, not giving an inch. Lili had a key spike and Maggie had a big service streak and a powerful slam from her middle hitting position, and Tandem played a tough first set against the top seed, scoring 12 points.

As the match went on, Tandem's game began to come together. Maggie returned the ball to the sender with a huge block to open the scoring. Tessa Time was in full effect as Tessa scored four straight points (three aces!!) and Timberlake (despite being #1) suffered the same fate as all of our opponents this season: they had no answer for Tessa's jump serve. Maggie followed that up with some aces of her own, and Timberlake was forced to call timeout. The second set also featured some incredible saves from Zella, who was all over the court, and Beatrice with excellent passes to Mary and Sofia, who set their teammates for success.

With their backs against the wall in the third stanza, Maya passed the ball beautifully to Tessa. With perfect footwork and a full wind up, Tessa smashed the ball through the blockers, and Tandem took the lead! On the next point, Maya became one with the floor, some managing to separate two balls from the ground with perfect digs. Mary blocked Timberlake's middle hitter, and Tandem took a 3-2 lead.

With momentum on our side, Sofia handed the ball to Maggie on a silver platter. A set like that deserves a vicious spike, and Maggie obliged. The team led 5-5 when Lola went to the service line, delivering a well-placed ace. On the next serve, Timberlake returned it, and while they were scrambling, Sofia bumped the ball over their heads and into the back corner. With a big smile on her face, Sofia handed the ball off for more Tessa Time as the Badgers pushed the lead to 3.

Mary set Maggie for another kill, and Tandem led 13-10. The Badgers kept pushing - Elisabeth setting Lola for a hit with power on the outside while Maya had several aces - 3 in a row! Trailing by 2, Maggie got the ball back to the Badgers with her fourth block of the match, giving Tandem 21 points against the #1 seed in the third and final set. Such an exciting game - hard fought - for this special team!

I can still hear Chloe and Lili's first volleyball announcement of the year: "Tonight is blackout night - you better wear black! Monticello is coming - last year we took one set and today we're going to take three!" That was my first experience in the Badger Den - and this team made that day and every day since an absolute joy. The 2024 Girls Varsity Volleyball team has provided our community with that level of energy, enthusiasm and fun for the last four months!

Led by six extraordinary seniors, the 2024 Tandem Girls Varsity Volleyball team has accomplished so much: 20 consecutive victorious sets, 15 games won, GPAC Runner-Up and a VISAA State Championship bid. More than that, they have been so much fun to cheer for and be around. What an honor. I am so proud of you all!

Special thanks to Seth - an extraordinary volleyball talent and mind. Your presence on this team has made an immeasurable impact.

Thank you of course to the amazing leadership of Head Coach Kiwii! You are an incredible teacher, mentor and friend - with so much wisdom and energy - Kiwii has been the perfect fit for this team since day one. Thank you also to Coach Maleigha (there's a drill named after her) and Coach Ke'Elani for your guidance - and also to Ke'Elani for your steady hand behind the wheel!

Thanks to all the families for your support - in too many ways to count!

WHAT A SEASON, Badgers! It was truly unforgettable. You've all made us so proud. Thank you - and congratulations!

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