New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 29, 2024

Defending state champs survive scare from Lady Trojans

By Alan Chamberlain | September 21, 2016 9:14 am

Lady Trojan setter Bryanna Seay launches an assist during Tuesday night's volleyball encounter with Warhill while teammate Lexi Batkins moves into hitting position.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Two-time defending state 3A volleyball champion Warhill topped New Kent’s host Lady Trojans in straight sets Tuesday night. But the visiting Lady Lions failed to dominate against a determined underdog that kept the score close throughout.

Warhill escaped with a 25-22, 25-19, 25-22 win, running its record to 6-1. New Kent, meanwhile, dropped to 6-5-2 overall, the two ties a result of splitting sets with two opponents during the Labor Day weekend Virginia Volleyball Showcase competition in Richmond.

Warhill, meanwhile, utilized its front line height advantage in turning back the Lady Trojans.

“They were up and over our blockers,” said New Kent coach Cyndi Burnett. “Our passing game was not what it’s supposed to be and that gave them a chance to drive it down our throats.

“We had some chances, but didn’t capitalize on them,” she added. “I didn’t feel like we were intimidated by them. They had a lot of net serves that helped us stay in the game, but their blocking was on.”

New Kent opened three-point advantages on a trio of occasions during a hotly contested opening set, the final time at 22-19 putting the hosts in the apparent driver’s seat thanks to a Zoe Smith service ace and Sierra Hellebrandt’s tip shot over Lion blockers. But passing miscues got the hosts in trouble in the late going, enabling the visitors to run off six unanswered points for the win.

Set two proved problematic for the hosts who trailed from the outset. Warhill vaulted to a 6-1 lead before New Kent fought back within one (6-5 and 9-8). The visitors, however, created a 21-12 cushion and weathered a late New Kent rally to take the set.

The final set progressed in similar fashion to the first until midway when Warhill threatened to pull away behind a 6-0 run that opened a 16-11 lead. But New Kent responded, overtaking their guests at 16-all on a Torii Pickett ace. A Warhill net violation followed, putting the Lady Trojans back in front 17-16.

Warhill’s hitters, however, took over from there, helping to build a four-point advantage (23-19). New Kent crept back within two (24-22), but no closer.