Winning 16 consecutive points in the first game gets a pretty positive flow going for the rest of the match.

Such was on display Thursday night for the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy in their home opener versus Bishop Sullivan Catholic. The Lady Saints remained unbeaten through three matches with a 25-5, 25-18, 25-11 victory over the Lady Crusaders.

The Lady Crusaders had opened up a 2-1 lead to start the match when NSA sided out, which gave serve to Jade Bishop. Bishop, with four aces along the way, and with Kristen Nuckles, on her way to 25 assists on the night, setting up numerous more successful points, the Lady Saints rolled off a 16-0 run, taking an 18-2 lead.

Nuckles assisted 10 times in the first game to five different teammates as the Lady Saints worked well together, committing one error in the first game.

Game two was a much closer affair, with the Lady Crusaders closing to 19-16 before the Lady Saints were able to open up a commanding lead on the service of Minka Foster.

Foster served her side to 24-16 before dropping serve, and the Lady Saints closed out game two a few points later.

Still executing, the Lady Saints jumped out to a 10-3 lead, which then became 18-5, on their way to a comfortable finish in the final game.

Foster led the Lady Saints in kills and aces with 14 and eight respectively.

Michelle Boucher had 10 kills and Ellen Giermak had six.

Head coach Shane Foster was very complimentary of his team, both about the night’s game, and overall in the season’s early stages.

&uot;We have a mostly young team, but they’re learning quickly,&uot; Foster said. &uot;They are hungry, always into the point, and they want to win every point. This is the best defensive team then any other team I’ve had, and that is allowing us to run our plays well.&uot;

NSA takes the court again on Tuesday at Norfolk Academy before returning home on Friday, when they will host Hampton Roads Academy at 6:30 p.m.

andrew.giermak@suffolknewsherald.com