Youthful Lady Trojans continue to improve as win total reaches double digits

New Kent’s Janelle Nowlin (7) and Kennedy Chambers (15) form a wall of defense to deflect a spike attempt by Poquoson’s Payton Harrison (4).

Robb Johnson photo

One of the benefits of playing a team twice in a season is seeing the progress a team can make. For the New Kent Lady Trojans’ volleyball team, a lot of the questions about the future they had in the earlier part of their campaign had clearer answers following the Oct. 1 home contest against the visiting Poquoson Lady Islanders.

New Kent swept the visitors 25-12, 25-12, 25-15 in the Bay Rivers District contest, upping their season record to 10-1.

The Lady Trojans rode the wave of momentum in the first set, easily capturing it 25-12. In the second set, Poquoson trailed by one before New Kent’s Carly Sachs’ kill thwarted the visitor’s momentum. A spike and score by Reagan Hailey Robinson along with two aces from Janelle Nowlin highlighted a 7-0 Lady Trojans run in the second set. Leading 18-8 after a Brielle Perry ace, New Kent went on to capture the second frame.

In the third set, Poquoson played more competitively as the score set tied at 10 apiece. New Kent, however, began to rotate younger players in as fresh bodies overwhelmed Poquoson. New Kent finished the game with a 15-5 run, capturing the victory.

After the contest, New Kent Lady Trojans’ Head Coach Susie Phillips spoke about her team’s victory and growth over the season.

“I’ve seen the improvements of our defense and the players have been working very hard since the offseason,” the head coach said. “We have to continue to show up and show how prepared we are on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.”

Sachs led the team with 16 kills, Perry and Janelle Nowlin led the team with three aces, and Gigi Allen accounted with the most digs with 17.