CHESAPEAKE — Nansemond River beat Indian River a little more than three weeks ago for the first Lady Warrior win of the girls volleyball season.

The Lady Warriors completed a season sweep over Indian River Thursday night in Indian River’s gym, winning 25-11, 25-10, 25-21.

Just like NR’s first win over Indian River, which ended an 0-7 start to NR’s season, Lady Warrior head coach Deidra Rader thinks her team’s second win over the Lady Braves carries importance, too.

“This was the first match we finally didn’t play down to the level of an opponent. We went ahead and blew them out,” Rader said.

After the rough beginning to the season, the Lady Warriors (6-11, 6-9) have six victories in their last 10 matches, all being district wins. The victories put Nansemond River in shape to make the district tournament, which has been expanded from four to the top six squads in the Southeastern for the first time this fall.

The Lady Warriors ran off big runs in each set in sweeping the Lady Braves.

With 10 straight service points by Kara Lyles, NR took an 11-7 lead and made it 22-7 in the opening set. Jasmine Arthur and Courtney Lowers made blocks and kills in the Lady Warrior rally alongside libero Casey Wood making digs.

The Lady Warriors rolled to a 13-2 lead to start the second set. Morgan Lowers, Courtney’s younger sister and NR’s main setter, was in rhythm with Courtney and Tatyana Thomas. Lyles put down back-to-back kills to make it 10-2 NR. Courtney Lowers served three aces in the NR run.

Courtney Lowers has been NR’s top attacking threat all season. Thomas and Arthur, NR’s middle hitters, are adding offensive and defensive power as the Lady Warriors, not coincidently, have improved.

“Our middles are starting to click with our setter and that allows us to run our offensive better,” Rader said. “We’re not just depending so much on Courtney’s seniority and experience.”

Even with reserves seeing some playing time in the third set, the Lady Warriors moved ahead with a 9-0 run, for an 11-4 lead, and led the rest of the way.

McKenna Lavendar subbed in at setter and kept the Lady Warrior attack going well.

The Lady Braves closed within 23-21 before the Lady Warriors took the next two points and ended the match.

Courtney Lowers led NR’s attack with 14 kills. Arthur added seven kills. Janeen Griffith served a team-high 19 points.

The Lady Warriors get to go for another season sweep, and another important win for their tournament hopes, with their next contest at Deep Creek on Tuesday evening.