The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy volleyball team took a tough 3-1 loss in the Division II state title game Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Saints matched up with Trinity Christian School in a battle for the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II state title last weekend. It was an intense game that saw NSA dig themselves out of an early hole before dropping the final set.

After falling 2-0 to TCS, the Lady Saints were able to take the third set to cut TCS lead 2-1. The fourth set proved to be the most exciting of the game, as NSA was able to claw their way out of a point deficit in the fourth to tie the set. Both teams continued to go back and forth, with TCS ultimately taking the fourth set in a nail bitter. Their final point came on what the referee deemed a net violation for the Saints, as TCS had a one-point lead at the time of the error.

“The girls played hard,” Coach Robyn Ross said. “We had some chances where I thought we could really make it to that fifth set. We had come back and got it as close as 24-24 in that fourth set, but at the end of the day it didn’t go the way we wanted it, and of course that stings.”

“Even though we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, games like those are my favorite,” Rylee Bono said. “They’re so passionate. I love every moment I get to spend on the court with my team.”

The Lady Saints held the No. 1 seed in the state tournament, with Trinity Christian having the No. 2 seed. When both teams met earlier in the season at a tournament, the Lady Saints were victorious. However, despite a disappointing end to the season, Ross didn’t want that to take away from all the things the Lady Saints were able to accomplish this season.

“I won’t let the girls lose sight of all the amazing things they have done this season and the obstacles they had to overcome to get there,” Ross said. “I’m so proud of this team. The success of this season doesn’t stem from one outcome.”

Like their coach, the Lady Saints are proud of themselves for what they accomplished. With all the success they experienced together, the bond they created among each other as a team was even better. NSA finished the season 27-6 with a conference title.