Seahawks flying high following 3-0 Woodbridge win
With their first Henlopen South win of 2025, a 3-0 over Woodbridge Sept. 11, Sussex Academy volleyball is 3-0 for the first time in program history.
“The girls kept the momentum going from [Sussex] Central,” said coach Hailee Gooch. “They played next to new people, kept the communication up, focused on minimizing mistakes and kept their goals in check.”
Things were close to start the first set before the Seahawks pulled away for a 25-12 win.
“Truly, I think that we came into the Sussex Central game with a lot more intensity and fierceness knowing they are a big competitor for us; however, no matter what team we play or what level of competition, we will still get the job done as best as we can while having the most fun,” said senior Aleida Calloway.
Sussex Academy partied its way to a 25-8 win in the second set and a 25-11 win in the third set to send the Blue Raiders back west with a 3-0 loss. The Seahawks picked up another win in the match when they found out they can rely on quite a few girls when they need to. Calloway and her classmate Carolyn Reese logged significant time on the backline, with Reese taking on the role of libero.
“It was really fun being able to show my skills in such an important role,” Reese said. “Working so cohesively with my fellow teammates was a great feeling and stepping into that leadership position on the court was truly rewarding.”
“We have amazing coaches,” Calloway said. “And all of our team has put in so much work to become better together and individually as players. I’m very proud of everyone for all the work and dedication we’ve put into this program, and I know that if we continue our hard work we will continue to win.”
Match highs were set by sophomore Jopie Smith (16 assists), junior Grayce Glover (10 kills) and freshman Reagan Klahr (five aces). Juniors Maya Hastings and Anna Lara-Nieto led all players with two digs.
The win has the girls playing with confidence.
“It shows that we are building some great momentum and have what it takes as a team to continue our streak,” Reese said.
Sussex Academy will travel to Early College at Delaware State University Tuesday, Sept. 16, before welcoming Milford Thursday, Sept. 18.
Aaron Mushrush joined the sports team in Summer 2023 to help cover the emerging youth athletics scene in the Cape Region. After lettering in soccer and lacrosse at Sussex Tech, he played lacrosse at Division III Eastern University in St. David's, PA. Aaron coached lacrosse at Sussex Tech in 2009 and 2011. Post-collegiately, Mush played in the Eastern Shore Summer Lacrosse League for Blue Bird Tavern and Saltwater Lacrosse. He competed in several tournaments for the Shamrocks Lacrosse Club, which blossomed into the Maryland Lacrosse League (MDLL). Aaron interned at the Coastal Point before becoming assistant director at WMDT-TV 47 ABC in 2017 and eventually assignment editor in 2018.
