Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s two girls lacrosse teams had something very special in common this season: they both went farther than any other pair of Lady Saint squads in school history. While the varsity team took its first-ever TCIS title, the younger girls cranked out their best-ever record at 8-3, good enough for second in the league.

&uot;My girls put their hearts and souls into it,&uot; varsity coach Susan White said Monday evening at her team’s banquet, held at the Cypress Cove home of senior Anne Har-vard Smith. &uot;We had an incredible team and an incredible season.&uot;

After routing Catholic, getting a forfeit win from Norfolk Academy and slipping past Cape Henry, the older Lady Saints clinched their championship with a 13-3 win over Norfolk Collegiate May 4.

Courtney White and Parris Grieder combined for 69 goals and 43 assists. They and co-All-TCIS First Team selection Ellis Pretlow were named co-Most Valuable Players.

&uot;They have been so incredibly strong this year,&uot; White said of Courtney and Grieder. &uot;I don’t think we would have had such a season without them. (Pretlow) was our leader, our point man. She called the plays.&uot;

Though she started the season as a fine player, Most Improved winner Genny Stulb &uot;left as a phenomenal player,&uot; White said. &uot;She has been such an asset to the team. She was phenomenal at catching balls that were uncatchable, and she played offense and defense.&uot;

Michelle Boucher was named the team’s top defensive player, less than a week after goalkeeper Olivia White was named the best defender in the TCIS tourney, in which the Lady Saints ended up second.

Coach’s Award winner Margie Coxe &uot;did everything I asked her to,&uot; White said. &uot;She could run like a gazelle, and she was always offering to get water for her teammates. I can’t emphasize enough how much her tenacity affected the team this year.&uot;

&uot;I have coached junior varsity lacrosse for four years, and I have never had a team with such joy, heart and potential,&uot; Charlotte Hudgins told the crowd. &uot;They are gifted beyond their abilities on the field. Their welcoming attitudes, bravery, camaraderie and strength as young women will take you far in high school athletics and in life.

&uot;On the attack, there were many players who contributed their all,&uot; she said. &uot;It’s difficult to say who provided the most to our attack, but one player consistently contributed all of her strength to the field.&uot;

That would be Maggie Standing. Tierney Poff got the top defensive honor.

&uot;I want to give my Coach’s Award to a player who has grown tremendously this season. She cried at every loss because she had left her heart on the field in every game. She never thought about herself; she only thought about the team.&uot;

Her pick was Katie Keyes.

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com