Grafton’s experience, power too much for youthful Lady Trojans

New Kent's Julia Hathaway(2) is challenged by Grafton defenders on a spike attempt.

Robb Johnson photo

With two starters injured and an undefeated Grafton team rolling into New Kent on Sept. 19, the Lady Trojans hoped their bond in the early part of the season provided enough firepower to pull off an upset.

But a much more experienced Lady Clippers’ team proved to have more than enough power, sweeping New Kent 25-8, 25-12, and 25-22 in straight sets for the easy match victory.

Grafton used strong play at the net and kills to execute against the Lady Trojans in the first set. The dominance and strength in the play proved overwhelming in the second set as well, as Grafton jumped out to a 2-0 set advantage.

The hosts began to show fight in set three, holding a 14-10 advantage midway through the set. Grafton, however, fought back and tied the game at 18 apiece. Both teams alternated scores before the visitors claimed the final three points of the set to complete the sweep of the contest.

After the game, Lady Trojan head coach Cynthia Burnett talked about her team falling to a tough opponent.

“They served great all night and they were serving to certain targets, taking us out of our system,” she said. “[Grafton’s] Olivia Smalls was pretty much unstoppable, and we were putting up a block in front of her either too early or too late. She was a force.

“Hopefully, Lindsey Johnson will be back Tuesday or Thursday and Haley Hyndshaw will be back in a week,” Burnett added, speaking on the injuries to her senior starters. “It’s a big loss, but we probably will go forward and put double subs in like we did tonight and make the best we can out the situation.”