New Kent Lady Trojans’ volleyball opens season with win under new regime

New Kent’s Carly Sachs (6) puts some finesse on a play at the net as she taps the ball over the outstretched hands of a Gloucester defender.

Robb Johnson photo

It’s been more than 30 years since New Kent High School Lady Trojans’ volleyball program has seen somebody at the head of the program not named Cynthia or Stuart Burnett. But what the former coaches left behind with talent and a mindset was something that was carried over positively by new Lady Trojans’ Head Coach Susie Phillips.

New Kent swept the visiting Gloucester Lady Dukes 25-9, 25-14, 25-13 on Aug. 25 to kick off their Fall 2026 campaign with the win.

After dominating the first set, New Kent found themselves in a tight battle in set two, leading by only three (11-8). But errors by Gloucester propelled the hosts to a 14-6 run to close the frame out.

In the third set, New Kent began to overpower the visitors as they leaped out to a 9-1 advantage. Aces by New Kent’s Cadee Bennett and premiere net play by Hailey Robinson Reagan continued to provide comfort the hosts. From there, New Kent capitalized on two errors by the Lady Dukes at the end of the contest, allowing the hosts to complete the sweep.

After the victory, Phillips talked about the program’s overall growth and how working under the Burnetts helped her transition into the new role.

“I have been in the program for seven years so I feel we can continue what was started,” she said after the victory. “We have some rebuilding this year with a younger team, but I see a lot of potential, and I see progress every week as we start this season.”