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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: Midwood sees first volleyball title shot slip away

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See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

Midwood did everything right — until it matter most.

The second-seeded Hornets team played some of its best volleyball of the season in the opening set of the Public School Athletic League girl’s city final, and were three points away from putting No. 1 Benjamin Cardozo in an unfamiliar hole.

But two Midwood errors, a close call that didn’t go its way, and the play of Judges star hitter Anja Malesevic kept that from happening.

The Hornets squad was unable to regroup in the second set of a 25–23, 25–12 defeat at Hunter College last Tuesday. It was Midwood’s first appearance in the title game since 2001, but the school’s first crown was not to be.

“If we had finished that first set we would have had them,” Hornets setter Elizabet Genis said.

Her team took a 22–17 lead thanks to a 5–0 service run from Genis, plus Alexandra Gordon hitting through a Cardozo block for a point, and the Judges’ Alyssa McAdams hitting a ball out of bounds. They were able to keep Malesevic from getting in rhythm and defended against her well at the net thanks to Celine Walker.

Unfortunately for Midwood, it would score just once more, on a kill from Gordon, to close out the set at 23–21.

Midwood, which took a set off Cardozo (14–0) during the season, thought it had the next point, but Malesevic’s shot was ruled to have hit the backline. Midwood coach Thomasina Lenzi disagreed with the call and saw the momentum shift. Her team hustled to help create long rallies, but Malesevic put down four more kills by the end of the set.

“We opened the door with the mistakes, and it was a bad call on that back row,” the coach said. “It should have been overturned, but the lead official didn’t see it.”

Midwood (13–1) never recovered after that, and Cardozo jumped out to a 6–1 in the next set. The Hornets drew within 10–6, only to see Malesevic (19 kills), bat two balls down to increase the lead to 12–6.

The season was still an overwhelming success despite the loss in the finals. Genis was proud of what they accomplished. She noted that the Hornets roster is still young, even with the graduation of key seniors. This won’t be the end of their run.

“I’m sure they are going to bring us back next year,” Genis said.

Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.

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