Nansemond-Suffolk girls take volleyball title

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s girls volleyball team outlasted Peninsula Catholic, 3-2 (16-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-20, 15-8) Saturday to win the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools Tournament championship.

The top-seeded Saints (18-4) rallied to extend their match winning streak to 17. Gracie Brooks was the tournament MVP after compiling 29 digs, an ace and a kill against the secondseeded Knights. Also for NSA, Marisa Krivanec had 15 kills and three aces, Kyra Bradford had eight kills and five blocks, and Marin McGowan added 13 kills and three aces.

Haley Price had nine kills and 12 digs and combined with Jossy Byars for 43 assists. Malli Groves had three aces, seven kills and four blocks. Career milestones for the Saints included McGowan’s 100th ace, Krivanec’s 300th kill and Price’s 600th dig.

Both teams await the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs.

Competition Cheer

Three area teams advanced to Saturday night’s finals in the VHSL state Competition Cheer championships at VCU’s Siegel Center.

In Class 5, Hickory placed third and Nansemond River fourth with scores of 237 and 233, respectively.

Grafton was Hampton Roads’ other finalist, placing fourth in Class 3 with 231.5 points.

Also earning berths at state, but only getting to the preliminary round, were Grassfield (fifth in Class 6), Poquoson (fifth in Class 2), Gloucester (seventh in Class 4), Warhill (eighth in Class 4) and New Kent (eighth in Class 3).

Taking championships were Stafford (Class 6), Briar Woods (Class 5), Loudoun County (Class 4), Cave Spring (Class 3) and Graham (Class 2).