Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s girls’ tennis team fell to Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association’s Division I state champ Norfolk Academy on the road on Tuesday.

It was a learning experience for the Lady Saints as they took on a tennis powerhouse in Norfolk. The Lady Saints lost 9-0, but the match presented valuable practice for a team that competes in Division II in the TCIS Conference.

“They are the Division I state champs,” coach Sheryl Raulston said. “The quality of opponent speaks for itself. We were in a lot of the matches, (bit) we just couldn’t get a win on the scoreboard.”

“We gave it a good fight,” Raulston said. “Once we get to the top Division II teams, we will be able to guage where we are in those games, as opposed to Division I.”

Norfolk Academy players hit with a lot of power and were more polished. The girls on that team compete year ‘round and are very talented.

The Lady Saints’ Delaney Taylor made her first set in the singles match interesting, losing 6-3. In the second set, she lost 6-0.

“Having to play against that much power was kind of tough for the girls,” Raulston said. “It’s not what we are going to see for the rest of the season. It was a good experience for the girls. They played hard.”

The Lady Saints hope to bounce back against a quality opponent in Virginia Episcopal School at home at 4 p.m. on Sept. 16.

NSA 0, Norfolk Academy 9

Singles results were as follows:

• No. 1: Caitie Sullivan (NA) def. Elvie Sellers (NSA) 6-0 6-1
• No. 2: JC Chandler (NA) def. Allison Gottlieb (NSA) 6-0 6-0
• No. 3: Ingrid Benkovitz (NA) def. Caitlyn Hannah (NSA) 6-1 6-0
• No. 4: Lily Hackbirth (NA) def. Delaney Taylor (NSA) 6-3 6-0
• No. 5: Lindley Richardson (NA) def. Eleanor Burcham (NSA) 6-0 6-0
• No. 6: Kate Furr (NA) def. Upasana Barot (NSA) 6-0 6-0

Doubles results were as follows:

• No. 1: Sullivan/Chandler (NA) def. Sellers/Gottlieb (NSA) 8-0
• No. 2: Benkovitz/Hackbirth (NA) def. Hannah/Watts (NSA) 8-0