The Grafton girls’ volleyball squad has enjoyed a mostly perfect season in 2025. Heading into Tuesday’s Region 4A final against Bay Rivers rival Jamestown, the Clippers had scored 22 consecutive victories, while winning 66 of 67 sets in those matches. Coupled with the fact that they were playing the region final on their home court, it appeared that the worries of the Grafton faithful would be few.
However, the Eagles were not making the trip to Yorktown with the hope of posting a good showing. The one blemish on Grafton’s set record came at the hands of the Jamestown team on October 6 in the third set of a match. Led by long-time head coach Ton Stephenson, the visitors were led by senior sparkplug Kira Van Heusen and junior kill queen Nicole Haywood and had not lost to a team named Grafton or district runner-up New Kent since September 30. At 16-6, they would be a formidable opponent.
Yet, this year’s Grafton squad is unlike teams from the past and any potential adversity bounced off their collective jerseys as the Clippers fended off numerous Jamestown challenges to win the Region 4A title with another 3-0 sweep, by scores of 25-12, 25-19, and 25-16.
In the middle of the fray for the Clippers was senior Kenzie Smith. Smith knocked down 21 kills, showing her leaping and spiking prowess from all spots on the front line.
“In the first half of the season, she stayed in the middle,” said coach David Keeter, now heading toward a ninth straight state final, a point which will be solidified if his team can get past Atlee in the state quarterfinals on Saturday in a match that will begin at 4 PM. “In the second half, we have been setting her up all over the line because teams were sending two and three players to the middle to counter.”
For her part, Smith has become well established in her team leader role.
“It’s a lot of pressure, but my teammates have my back,” said Smith.
Freshman Alivia Brackens has become a key player on the Clippers in just her first season. “We fight really hard,” said Brackens, who added 12 digs in a strong defensive effort. “But we’re still hungry.”
Brackens’ emergence has been a surprise, although her older sister Ana has been a key cog for two years. “She was raw when we got her, but athletic. She has good genes,” added Keeter. Ana added nine kills and four blocks.
Senior Olivia de la Cruz added five kills, amazing considering her 5’2” frame, along with 20 assists, while Allyson Burke scoped up 14 digs.
Jamestown will face Region 4B winner Courtland in their state quarter clash.
HERITAGE WINS BOYS 4 EAST
In the opening match, Heritage lost the initial set but captured the next three to topple Gloucester 3-1 (26-28, 25-17, 25-22, 25-23) and win the Class 4 East title.
Marcus Dozier led the Hurricanes with 20 kills and 13 digs, while Isaac Ward-Payton nailed 24 kills. Nazir Bradshaw scored 22 digs and added three aces, and Tyrell Shelton led the Canes with 42 assists.
Shelton’s emergence has been the biggest surprise of the season, according to coach Nehemiah Carter.
“(Shelton) is new and has never played setter before this season and was actually a middle. It took all of us committing to the process of trusting what this new system could be,” said Carter, referring to the change in his team’s rotation.
Heritage has been the area’s most unpredictable team, starting the season by losing ten of their first 11 matches before winning 11 of their next 12. However, at 12-11, Heritage will be a force in the upcoming Class 1-4 combined state championship, which features the top four teams, with Denbigh and Lakeland also qualifying for the state tournament.
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