The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy volleyball team opens the state tournament at home Tuesday evening.

NSA will start its quest for another state title by hosting Highland School. The Lady Saints will head into the matchup with a 20-6 record. Last week, they competed in the conference tournament, where they advanced to the championship and lost to Peninsula Catholic High School 3-0.

They have the No. 3 seed in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II tournament this year. In 2016, the Lady Saints lost in the state title and followed that up with a semifinal loss last year. NSA has been known to be an undersized team, which has always worked to their advantage. The Lady Saints’ attention to detail along with their talent and hard work has turned them into one of the powerhouses at the VISAA Division II level.

“We are excited about this game,” Coach Robyn Ross said. “We know with our small size this year we are going to have to serve tough. We have been outsized in every match that we have played, but when we serve tough and play lights-out defense, that is where we have found success.”

The players are excited about their matchup and know they just need to go out and do what they have been doing.

“All we need to do is play like we know we can and do what we have been taught,” junior Addy Greene said.

NSA will host Highland at 5 p.m. Tuesday. If the Lady Saints win Tuesday night, they will advance to the state semifinals Friday night.