The Conant girls' volleyball team hit the court this fall with a new head coach and a roster eager to learn and improve. 

The Orioles are now in just their second season as a varsity program and are still exhibiting the growing pains that come with making the leap to NHIAA competition without so much as a middle school feeder program. Conant won two games in its inaugural season, but after graduating several key founding members last spring, the Orioles find themselves winless at 0-6 following Wednesday's three-set sweep at the hands of visiting Newfound Regional. 

First-year head coach Kerry Linstad is still instilling the basics into her inexperienced, young team. The former Springfield College volleyballer knows the Orioles have a long way to go, but they're willing to put in the work. 

"It's a big rebuilding year, getting people just to understand the game," Linstad said after Wednesday evening's match. "I've already seen the girls improve from day one. They're definitely working hard."

Leading the way for the Orioles is senior captain Isabella Hart, who was part of the original group of students that pushed for a varsity volleyball program. Now she's co-captain along with Alexis Mayer, setting an example on the court. 

"Her leadership is off the charts, and her hustle,” Linstad said. “I can't say enough about her, actually. She's here to play."

Hart had two kills, a block and an ace against Newfound Wednesday to bring her season totals up to 14 kills and six blocks. 

Behind Hart, Linstad said the rest of the team is pretty inexperienced but is growing with every practice and game -- particularly middle hitter Kylee Daniels, who has 17 kills and 11 blocks on the year . 

"She's one to watch," Linstad said. 

Against Newfound, the Orioles also got some good efforts out of Mayer, who ran off a string of underhand service scores to keep Conant alive in the final frame, and Allies Sisombath, who wasn't afraid to get involved and get under some of the Bears' tougher hits.

With only two seniors and a full JV roster, the Orioles are poised to make steady improvements over the next few years in hopes of competing with the Mascenics and Somersworths of the world. And, of course, this season's not over yet, and Linstad said she has high hopes that the Orioles can get a few wins under their belts once they master their positions and learn to communicate effectively. 

"With the teams like Somersworth and Belmont, we were right there playing with them," Linstad said. "It's just building the team, getting the team to know where the other one is going to be and getting those balls that are dropping in front of us."

Conant hosts Trinity Friday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.