Lady Trojans battle nerves, downs York in home opener

New Kent’s Sydney Griffith elevates to deliver a thunderous spike and score over York defenders.

Andre' Jones photo

After taking the opening frame, New Kent’s Lady Trojans found themselves trailing the Lady Falcons of York 21-14 in the second period. No problem.

Following-up with keen offense and serves from Kaitlyn Claytor, the hosts Lady Trojans rallied to win the second frame 26-24 and carried that momentum in the third set, sweeping York 25-16, 26-24, 25-12 to claim victory in the team’s home-opener.

New Kent struggled early out the gate, playing evenly with the visitors before an 8-2 scoring run claimed the set for the hosts.

The second frame saw York standout Sydney Sumner take control. Sumner’s power helped take an early New Kent 6-2 lead and flip it to a 10-7 Lady Falcons lead. Sumner continued to push the rally before a spike by New Kent Brianne Waymen halted the run.

York countered, upping the lead 23-18 before Claytor’s service. The hosts maneuvered the offense and positioned well, executing hits and got within two (24-22). Sydney Griffith’s spike and subsequent tip over the net knotted the score at 24 apiece, eventually leading to the set win at 26-24.

After another slow start in the third set, New Kent once again strung together scoring. A foot fault during a York serve benefitted the hosts. The Lady Trojans would close out the game with a 14-1 run to complete the match in a three-game sweep.

After the game, Lady Trojan head coach Cyndi Burnett commented about the key rally in the second stanza.

“We started getting our serves, our hits and our offense got going,” commented the winning coach. “We made adjustments.”

Burnett also added input about the changes to her new roster. With four letter winners lost to graduation, Burnett continues to see growth from her young but experienced group.

“Our hitting is a focus in practice and we have seen improvement every week,” she added. “Everybody played well. Our hitters hit and our setters helped them. Overall this was a very good and positive experience.”

New Kent Lady Trojans (5-1) were led by Paige Simpson’s 12 digs and Millie Rudolph’s six kills. York drops to 0-1.