Nansemond River High School’s JV field hockey team went undefeated this season.

Undefeated seasons aren’t easy to achieve, no matter the level of sport. The Lady Warriors JV field hockey team, however, was able to achieve that by winning 12 games.

Coach Cara Byrd said this was the first time coaching an undefeated team in her 10 years of coaching. She credited the team for being special and going above and beyond, doing the things it takes to make an undefeated season happen.

“I told them they are the most hardworking, dedicated group of girls I’ve ever worked with,” Byrd said. “They were always working hard and doing everything we lined up for them. They are always asking what they can do in the offseason. They participate in everything, and the parents are so supportive. These girls are truly special.”

Byrd said she told her team that a state championship is in their future, and in order for them to achieve that, they had to start working hard now. The Lady Warriors were determined throughout the season that no team was going to mess up their streak. Midway through the season, when Nansemond River realized they could go undefeated, they kicked it up a notch.

Many players from this year’s team will be moving up to the varsity level. Multiple eighth-graders, including the team’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, will likely be starting varsity next year. The team had its banquet, where Madalyn Baker received Defensive Player of the Year and Regan Worley received Offensive Player of the Year.

Next year will probably be a bit of a rebuilding year for the Lady Warriors because of the talent moving up. Byrd and the Lady Warriors certainly enjoyed the season.

“I enjoyed coaching this team,” Byrd said. “All the way to the very last game I enjoyed it. These girls made it worth every minute.”