Seahawks’ volleyball season takes flight against Henlopen foes

Boys’ volleyball is underway at Sussex Academy after the rebuilding Seahawks opened the season with hard-fought 3-0 losses to an ambitious Indian River unit and skilled Smryna squad.

“IR was a really good team, and I think they're gonna do really well this year,” said Seahawks coach Dreonna Phillips. “Serve-receive was pretty good. We had some really good sets, some good kills. I thought the rallies were great, and I'm really happy with how they did.”

IR took the first set 25-17 after jumping out to a 9-0 advantage to start. Sussex Academy carried its late momentum from that loss into the second set and led throughout. IR grabbed a 22-19 lead late before the Seahawks stormed back to tie it. Two quick points from IR put Sussex Academy on the brink, but the Seahawks gathered themselves and took the lead on junior Jovan Jean-Louis’ block. IR rattled off three straight points to take the second set before repeating their first set score in the final set for a 3-0 win.

“They didn't give up,” Phillips said. “They played hard until the end, and I'm happy.”

Sussex Academy’s trip to Smryna resulted in another 3-0 loss, but the Seahawks lost two of their three sets by five points or less.

Dover will travel to Sussex Academy for the Seahawks’ home opener at 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 1.