Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s girls’ tennis team improved to 3-1 after an 8-1 victory against Walsingham Academy on Tuesday.

The only match Walsingham won was a singles match, in which Emily Bowerman defeated NSA’s Elvie Sellers.

The Lady Saints have defeated their last two opponents by a combined 17-1.

“I thought we played great,” coach Sheryl Raulston said. “We tried out some new doubles teams and had some players get their first match in singles. I think we did great.”

The Lady Saints will be one of the strongest teams in the state again this year. NSA does not feel pressured by being regarded as one of the best teams in the state, because that has been the Saints’ position for the past couple of years.

“We don’t feel pressure to live up to expectations,” Raulston said. “We’ve had pretty solid teams the past couple of years. It would be nice to win a state championship and that’s the goal.”

NSA has a lot of talent this year, including players who play year ‘round. Raulston believes her players will continue to improve as the season progresses.

Next for NSA is a match at Steward School on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Steward School. They’re not in the same conference, so Steward is not a familiar opponent, but NSA is confident it will continue its win streak.

Singles results were as follows:

• No. 1: Emily Bowerman (WA) def. Elvie Sellers (NSA) 4-6, 6-2 10-7
• No. 2: Allison Gottlieb (NSA) def. Emily Daigneault (WA) 6-0, 6-1
• No. 3: Delaney Taylor (NSA) def. Cary Richardson (WA) 6-4, 6-0
• No. 4: Eleanor Burcham (NSA) def. Elizabeth Barry (WA) 6-3, 6-2
• No. 5: Upasana Barot  (NSA) def. Olivia Clark 6-0, 6-3
• No. 6: Frances Hogg (NSA) def. Gwen Agor (WA) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles results were as follows:

• No. 1: Sellers/Gottlieb (NSA) def. Bowerman/ Daigneault 8-1
• No. 2: Hannah/Watts (NSA) def. Richardson/Barry (WA) 8-4
• No. 3: Taylor/ Podruchny (NSA) def. Clark/Sullivan (WA) 8-5