Burnetts stepping away from New Kent High School volleyball sidelines after 38 years

(L to R) Stuart and Cynthia Burnett head into retirement after combing for 598 career volleyball wins.

After 34 years on the sidelines, a powerhouse couple who guided New Kent’s Lady Trojans’ volleyball teams to several state appearances is stepping away from the sideline.

Stuart and Cynthia Burnett are handing over the reins after 38 years of coaching.

The journey for the duo began in November 1988 with the goal to build the volleyball program from the ground up to make it a respective team. The Burnetts turned the concept of team into the program. Cynthia notched 525 wins as the head coach from 1988-2021, while husband Stuart garnered 73 wins leading the helm from 2022-2025.

The highlight during the Burnetts journey occurred in 2000 when the Lady Trojans defeated Rye Cove 15-9, 15-13 to win the Class 1A state championships. New Kent also finished as state runners-up in 2001 and 2020. The duo notched a total of five district championships, three regional championships, and have made appearances in the state tournament eleven times.

The Lady Trojans have been very competitive over the tenure. No matter who took the floor in what generation or decade, the Burnetts preached teamwork and unity from the court to the sidelines.

When asked about the decision to step down, the Burnetts released a joint statement on the decision.

“Having coached the program for 38 seasons and with both of us in our 70s by the start of next season, we decided it’s time to step away and spend time with our family, especially with our two grandsons,” the Burnetts said. “With each other doing those things, it seems that we put off [spending time with family] due to the year-round nature of coaching both high school and club volleyball.”

New Kent will enter the 2026-27 season coming off an appearance in the state semifinals.