After dropping first set, New Kent battles back to dismantle rival Jamestown

New Kent senior Haley Baker (9) is applauded by teammates as she makes her first appearance in a game after suffering a season-ending injury.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent Lady Trojans volleyball Head Coach Cynthia Burnett knows how difficult it can be to face rival Jamestown on any night. But an Oct. 26 match-up with the visiting Lady Eagles ranked among top five contest of all time in her book.

After dropping the first set, New Kent’s Lady Trojans rebounded to win 18-25, 25-23, 25-12, 29-27 over Jamestown as part of Oct. 26 Senior Night festivities.

The visitors entered the gym confidently, taking momentum they orchestrated from a five-game series with the Grafton Lady Clippers, a team that had recently knocked off New Kent. And early on, it was Jamestown’s 6’5” Kya Otis who dominated the contest. A monster kill put her team on the upswing to kick off the game. With the score tied at 16 apiece in the opening set, her block at the net prevented a Lady Trojans’ score. From there, Jamestown constructed a 9-2 run to close out the first frame with a win.

In the next set, Jamestown continued to mount pressure on the hosts, jumping out to a 6-1 advantage. However, two unforced errors by the Lady Eagles allowed New Kent to cut the lead down to three (8-5). New Kent continued to battle, getting their first lead in the contest after a Jaiden McCoy kill and an ace by Aubrey Hyndshaw. After Jamestown stormed back into the contest, a Julia Hathaway spike and score provided the hosts a two-point advantage. The visitors were able to tie the game up at 23 apiece, but an unforced error by the Lady Eagles along with Hyndshaw’s ace help the host capture the set and tie the match at one game apiece.

New Kent’s huge run in the third set allowed them to double-up Jamestown 24-12. The advantage allowed Lady Trojan senior Haley Baker to sub in for the first time all-season despite suffering a torn ACL. Baker’s presence prompted New Kent to notch the winning point in the frame.

But that positive vibe dissipated to start the fourth set. New Kent quickly found themselves in a 9-1 hole. Down 20-13, the hosts continued to fight as Sofia Foster notched three aces, prompting a 7-1 run to slice Jamestown’s lead down to one (21-20). The teams continued battling back and forth, notching ties before McCoy’s kill during the extending play session ended the match with New Kent as the victors.

After the contest, Burnett talked about McCoy coming back into her element and play.

“She was scoring at will, which was a key to our puzzle that we are glad to have back,” the coach said after McCoy had missed part of the season due to injury.
“Also tonight, our serving is crucial, and we have to continue focusing on that.”

New Kent (18-4) can lock up home-court advantage in the Group 3A Region A playoffs with a win over Smithfield.