New Kent dominates in volleyball victory over Lafayette

Lady Trojan Paige Simpson watches her spike kill sail past Lafayette defender Magdelena Dummler.

Alan Chamberlain photo

In convincing fashion, New Kent’s Lady Trojans subdued Lafayette’s visiting Rams in Tuesday night volleyball, rolling to a 25-15, 25-17, 25-14 victory.

All three games played out the same with New Kent gradually pulling away in the early going and not allowing the Rams, who entered with a 6-3 record, to seriously threaten the rest of the way.

“We dominated them,” said Lady Trojan coach Cyndi Burnett after watching her team improve to 8-6. “In every aspect of our game, we were on. Serving, passing, blocking, digging — There were no weaknesses.”

New Kent forged ahead to stay in the match opener, leading 6-4 behind a Zoe Smith block and Sydney Griffith spike kill. The Lady Trojans were on top 13-6 before Lafayette closed the gap to four, but the hosts surged again, finishing on a Jada Evans ace.

With a kill at the net, Smith put her team in front (6-5) for good in game two. The Rams cut a six-point New Kent lead in half (18-15), but could not draw closer.

Kaitlyn Claytor’s ace broke a 3-3 deadlock in game three. A pair of Paige Simpson kills plus one from Mattie Thornton highlighted a 6-1 run that staked the hosts to a comfortable 17-9 advantage.

Griffith (8), Simpson (7), and Claytor (6) led the victors in kills. Claytor, Emiley Angle and Cortney Pickett registered three aces apiece. Pickett dished out 13 assists while Angle was credited with 11.

On defense, Evans led with nine digs while Simpson and Griffith contributed seven and six, respectively. Claytor led in blocks with three.

“This was an unexpected win,” Burnett said. “We haven’t beaten Lafayette in a long time.”