One match after winning their first match in over a season, Nansemond-Suffolk’s boys volleyball squad couldn’t stay on a roll as visiting Menchville swept the Saints in three games on Tuesday, 25-9, 25-20, 25-18.

NSA (1-7) defeated Menchville’s Peninsula District mate Denbigh last week in three games. The Monarchs were a bigger test, however, as their hitters were too strong for the Saints, although games two and three were more competitive.

Menchville jumped out to a 15-2 lead in the opening game and cruised to take a 1-0 lead.

After a 9-1 Menchville lead in the second game, the Saints regrouped and their defense worked the Monarch lead down to as slim as 15-14. An ace by Ray Ramirez, then a Quint Butler dig which led to a kill by Ramirez, who is normally NSA’s setter, were points 13 and 14 for NSA.

Menchville scored five straight points to get a cushion again. The rally of the match, with both teams making digs and chaotic saves, went NSA’s way to make it 22-18 and a block by David McCracken made it 22-19 Menchville, but the Monarchs held on from there to go up 2-0.

Game three followed a similar pattern as Menchville led 19-6 before the Saints tried to make a close finish of it. Ramirez, Butler and McCracken each served good runs for the Saints as they got as close as 22-17.

Ramirez had seven assists. Butler and McCracken had four kills each and McCracken added three blocks. Ramirez and Josh George had three kills each.