New Kent breezes through to Region 3A volleyball championship game

New Kent’s Julia Hathaway (2) reaches the apex of her ascent to tap the ball over a Colonial Heights defender.

Robb Johnson photo

The road for New Kent’s Lady Trojans to a state championship began with an Apr. 12 victory over the visiting I.C. Norcom Lady Greyhounds. In the Apr. 13 semifinal contest against the Colonial Heights Lady Colonials, it was another dominant victory for the top seed in Region 3A.

New Kent swept Colonial Heights 25-4, 25-5, 25-9 to set up an Apr. 15 championship game against Bay Rivers District rival Lafayette Lady Rams, a team they defeated twice in the regular season.

As far as the semifinal contest against the Lady Colonials, New Kent powered through the sets early on behind kills from Aubrey Hyndshaw and Jaiden McCoy. With Clara Foster serving up nine aces and Haley Baker providing 26 assists, New Kent quickly ousted the visitors to earn the right to host the championship game.

Lady Trojan Head Coach Cynthia Burnett said that while she knows her team will be under a lot of pressure heading into the championship game, she knows the upcoming contest against Lafayette won’t be an easy one.

“It will be a totally different game and we have to bring our A game,” the head coach commented. “They have good quality players, coaches, and a good program.

“We have to be prepared to come out and not get too nervous,” Burnett continued. “We need to raise our game to another level than what we have had to do this week. They will be nervous because if they lose their season is over, but if they win, they move on into the state semifinals.”