On Friday afternoon, the volleyball team improved to 3-0 in league play, won their 51st consecutive league match, and secured their 46th straight home win with a 3-0 sweep over Martin Luther.

The Cougars were overwhelmed from the start as they faced a barrage of aces from Ella Middlekauff, who almost singlehandedly staked The Brook to a 13-0 lead in a run that included seven aces. Luther did not return a serve over the net until Middlekauff’s ninth offering, which Julianna Sparacio sent back over for a kill. After the Cougars registered a point, Cassandra Rohan took over the serve and instigated a 12-0 run that featured nine aces as the Bears took set one, 25-1.

Sandy Tao’s serve and three rocket kills off the wrist of Gillian Bernier powered the Bears to an 8-0 lead in set two. Consecutive aces from Bernier gave The Brook a 13-2 lead before a flurry of Sparacio aces (six in a run of nine points) closed out round two, 25-5.

The Bears never trailed for the third straight set, but Luther showed grit by hanging tough. A pair of Bernier kills, a Rohan ace, and consecutive aces from Tao built a 7-2 Blue & White lead. A Charlotte Cisz ace pushed the Bear lead to 11-4 before a 6-0 spurt pushed Luther to the brink. The run began with kills from Erin He and Rohan and included a trio of Middlekauff aces to give the hosts a 20-6 advantage. A Cisz ace closed the third set, 25-10, to give the Bears the victory.

The Blue & White are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Kew-Forest for a PSAA match-up.

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