New Kent knocks off Meridian Lady Mustangs in state quarterfinals

By Robb Johnson | November 16, 2025 8:19 pm

New Kent’s Reagan Hailey-Robinson (13) delivers a tap with finesse over the outstretched arms of Meridian defenders Hannah Rosenbusch (6) and Sahana Cushman (4).

Robb Johnson photo

Over the last several years, it was New Kent’s Lady Trojans who traveled to the Meridian Lady Mustangs in state quarterfinal volleyball action, with New Kent falling short on every occasion. Saturday afternoon with the Lady Mustangs making the trip to New Kent, it was the Lady Trojans who took advantage on their home court.

New Kent defeated Meridian 25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 25-17 in the Group 3A state quarterfinal, allowing the Lady Trojans to advance and travel to Christiansburg to take on an undefeated Lady Blue Demons team on Nov. 18.

After each team captured a set, the third frame saw the Lady Mustangs make their first major move in the contest. Trailing by one (9-8), Meridian orchestrated a 7-1 run to take a five-point lead (15-10). New Kent, however, withstood the onslaught as Reagan Hailey-Robinson and Carly Sachs began to patrol the net for the Lady Trojans. There contributions, capped off by a Sachs ace, tied the game at 18 apiece. Ava Nieto’s kill continued that momentum, followed by one from Leah Rounds as New Kent won the frame after Hannah Sachs ace.

The fourth set continued to see the Lady Trojans’ utilize their power in overwhelming Meridian. Another Carly Sachs spike and score provided a three-point advantage (16-13) for the home team. After each team exchanged scores, New Kent’s Ryan Griffith executed back-to-back kills to up the home team’s lead to five (19-14). The Lady Trojans’ communication excelled, as they continued to place the ball in spots where Meridian players could not cover. On the game-point serve for New Kent, a Meridian player set the ball in the air for a teammate, but nobody moved to the area, allowing the ball to hit the floor and seal the victory for the Lady Trojans.

Carly Sachs led New Kent (20-4) in digs with 13. Rounds topped the team with 18 kills.