Sussex Academy volleyball honors decorated ’24 class
![The Sussex Academy girls' volleyball team Class of 2024 ushered in an era of success for the Seahawks, securing back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in program history, setting records and reaching the state tournament for the first time since 2017. Shown are (l-r) Carmen Merrick, Grace Fiorilla, Tayler Flaherty, Danica Duncan and Sarah Rowley. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_9106.jpg)
The Sussex Academy girls' volleyball team came into Senior Night against Woodbridge Oct. 23 ready to continue down a path of success and honor a senior class that has ushered in a new era of winning.
Winners of seven of the last nine matches and recently crowned Henlopen South champions, the girls needed to beat Woodbridge for a chance at their first double-digit win season since 2017.
“This senior class, in terms of skill, has definitely set the bar and the standard for kids coming up,” said coach Hailee Gooch. “Their leadership, willingness to be vocal, being competitive, and having the drive that we needed to see across the board is awesome and filtering through the underclassmen.”
Seniors Carmen Merrick, Danica Duncan, Grace Fiorilla, Tayler Flaherty and Sarah Rowley were honored before the match. The group not only secured the first division title in program history, but also broke two individual school records. Merrick owns the single-season and career records for blocks, while Duncan is the leader in single-season and career kills.
“It was a lot of fun, and I had a lot of support,” Duncan said. “It was really exciting with everybody supporting me and cheering me on. I feel like I did a lot of work and it’s paid off. I’m proud of myself.”
From Fiorilla’s first serve of the match to the final whistle, Sussex Academy dominated Woodbridge. Remaining stout in serve-receive and aggressiveness at the net, the Seahawks nearly won all three sets by double digits – 25-16, 25-11, 25-10. Fiorilla set the table for Merrick, Duncan and Flaherty to attempt quality hits and collect quite a few kills. Service from the Seahawks was a strength, with aces piling up.
Sussex Academy improves to 9-5 and will face Early College at Delaware State University in Dover for the final match of the regular season. A victory would secure double-digit wins for the first time in six years.
“I loved coaching them. They all have a very competitive mindset, they want to work hard, they want to get better, and they genuinely push each other to be better,” Gooch said.
The Seahawks will attempt to grab another first, a Henlopen Conference championship, when they host Henlopen North champion Smyrna (12-1) Saturday, Oct. 28, in Georgetown.
“We’re super stoked to have the opportunity to play Smyrna again on Saturday. They’re very challenging and tough. It’s exciting for our team to try and raise the bar to meet that level of play,” Gooch said.
Smyrna defeated Sussex Academy 3-0 Sept. 15. All five of the Seahawks’ losses this year have come against teams above a .750 win percentage.
![Seahawks senior Carmen Merrick teams up with freshman Grayce Glover for a block. Merrick became Sussex Academy’s all-time leader in blocks during the match.](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_8719.jpg)
![Sussex Academy senior Danica Duncan prepares to serve during the first set of a 3-0 win against Woodbridge on Senior Night.](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_8777.jpg)
![Seahawks senior Danica Duncan rises up for a kill. During the match, she became the program's all-time leader in kills.](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_8788.jpg)
![Seahawks senior Grace Fiorilla bumps the ball during the second set, a 25-11 win for Sussex Academy.](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_8880.jpg)
![Carmen Merrick, the Seahawks' all-time leader in blocks, teams up with fellow senior Grace Fiorilla for a block.](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_9009.jpg)
![Seahawks coach Hailee Gooch substitutes the seniors out one by one so they cam be cheered in the final regular-season home game of their careers.](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_9086.jpg)
![The recently crowned Henlopen South champions were led by the most successful class in Sussex Academy history. Two record holders, back-to-back winning seasons, a division title and a state tournament appearance are just some of the bragging points.](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_9147.jpg)
![Sussex Academy senior Grace Fiorilla with parents Rich and Lauren. Fiorilla hopes to be a childhood educator and tells future athletes to worry about team chemistry rather than themselves.](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_9126.jpg)
![Seahawks senior Carmen Merrick with parents Matt Merrick, Jennifer Merrick, and her younger sister Elizabeth Merrick. Carmen would like to play Division III volleyball somewhere in the Northeast and major in environmental science. She suggests a short memory for future athletes so they don’t dwell on mistakes.](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_9117.jpg)
![Sussex Academy senior Tayler Flaherty with her mom Anne. Flaherty would like to play soccer at a Division II or III school in the Northeast. She hopes to be a nurse or enter the physical therapy field, and she urges future athletes to step out of their comfort zones and enjoy every moment.](/sites/capegazette/files/2023/10/field/image/IMG_9134.jpg)