The Sussex Academy volleyball team’s reign over the Henlopen South ended Oct. 1, with a 3-0 home loss to rival Indian River. It was the girls' first loss within the division since Oct. 25, 2022, and the first set they conceded to a divisional opponent since Oct. 12, 2023.

“It was a tough loss,” Seahawks coach Hailee Gooch said. “Obviously, it’s not the outcome we wanted, but there were positives throughout. Not every game is going to be as interesting to them and as fun as IR is, but that's how we need to see and play every game.”

IR took the first set 25-17, but Sussex Academy made things interesting in the final two sets.

“I thought that, collectively, this is the most grit and energy we've shown as a unit,” Gooch said. “Lots of close points and great rallies from both sides showed us a lot.”

The Seahawks took an early lead in both sets with highly energetic play and a supportive atmosphere.  

“I feel like everyone could feel the momentum and energy of us playing together as a unit,” Gooch said. “We should never let go of that feeling for the rest of the season, and that's how we're going to finish stronger than how we started.”

IR’s comeback in both sets came as a result of its aggressiveness and some bad luck at the net for the Seahawks. Taking the second set 25-22 and the final set 25-20, IR wrapped up the 3-0 victory, but gave Sussex Academy a reason to believe in the future.

“We had players that really showed up when it counted today; eighth-grader and JV player Reagan Klahr, she stepped up for our front row hugely tonight,” Gooch said. “Moving forward, we will kind of home in on that and work on fine-tuning that lineup.”

Sussex Academy (3-5) will have a chance to get back to .500 before its next match against a divisional opponent Thursday, Oct. 10, at Lake Forest. The Seahawks will play Odessa Friday, Oct. 4, and crosstown rival Delmarva Christian Monday, Oct. 7.