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IR volleyball defeats the Royals 3-0

Balanced attack leads Indians past Delmarva Christian
Delmarva Christian middle blocker Katherine Jones goes for the roof on Indian River’s Isabelle Dorey in the 3-0 Indians’ victory. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
September 22, 2025

The Indian River volleyball team used a balanced offensive attack to move to 4-2 on the season with a 25-17, 25-15, 25-18 non-conference victory over Delmarva Christian Sept. 19 on the Indians’ home floor. The Royals move to 2-3.

Juniors Isabelle Dorey and Taygan Conaway led the offensive charge for IR with six and five kills, respectively. Senior Lila May Brown bumped 11 digs, while Taylor Hevner put up 10 assists and Mia MacIsaac had eight helpers. 

“We know that every time we play this squad it will be highly competitive, and this time was no different,” said Indian River coach Chad Zook. “We were able to pull it out in straight sets. We are really starting to home in on some specific things that will be essential to our success in the latter half of our season.” 

Riley Barto and Addison Light combined for 11 of the Royals’ 20 kills. Kaylin Conaway and Raegan Bryant combined for 14 of the team's 20 assists. Morgan Stevenson led the team with three service aces, while Kamryn Zarebicki added two. Morgan Stevenson led the team in digs with 15, while Conaway had nine and Barto eight. Tori Royster and Katie Jones each had one block in the match. 

“The match was a fun one,” said Royals head coach Kelly Duffy. “Both teams really played a high level of competitive volleyball. Our team was tested against IR. While we had a strong defensive presence throughout the match, IR had a strong middle hitter that really challenged our defense. Offensively, it was much improved from previous contests, for which I'm extremely proud of our girls. Each match, the Royals demonstrate their mental toughness, their dedication to team unity and a drive to continually improve.”

The Royals play host to Lake Forest Friday, Sept. 26, while the Indians welcome Caesar Rodney Tuesday, Sept. 23.

 

Royals setter puts up an assist to teammate Katherine Jones.
Royals senior Riley Barto serves an ace.
IR junior Taylor Hevner bumps one of her 10 assists.
Royals Kinley Doughty goes up for a joust with Indian River’s Isabelle Dorey.
Royals senior Riley Barto makes a diving play on a serve.
Royals sophomore libero Morgan Stevenson serves a winner.
Royals freshman Addison Light pounds a kill through the defense.
Royals sophomore Ava Kauffman taps a shot past Indian River’s Lillian Kreger.
Indians sophomore Mia MacIsaac, right, tries to elevate ball over the reach of the Royals’ Katherine Jones.
Royals senior Kamryn Zarebicki pounds a serve.
Royals freshman Addison Light knocks down a kill.
Freshman Raegan Bryant serves a winner for the Royals.
Royals senior Kamryn Zarebicki bumps a return.
IR freshman Brenda Pahren slams a kill.
IR junior Taygan Conaway puts a winner past the Royals’ block attempt.
Royals junior Tori Royster pounds a kill shot.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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