MOOSEHEART, Aug. 31 -- One of the things about season-opening matches is that coaches get a chance to see their team in action against real opposition for the first time.

For Mooseheart's volleyball team, that time came on Monday. Despite her team's 25-7, 25-20 loss to Kirkland-Hiawatha, Ramblers coach Kristin Shuman found plenty about which to be pleased.

"There's a lot of good things out there," Shuman said. "Our serves are looking nice. When we get the chance to hit, they look good. They're on their feet. They're moving. They're communicating. We just need to fine tune the little bits."

One of those things that will certainly be addressed is the team's defense. Kirkland-Hiawatha served well, and cause Mooseheart no end of problems.

"We had Erin Stryker in the back row and she's a freshman in her first varsity game,"

Shuman said. "She was a little nervous, I think. It's hard when you get a good server coming at you to not get down on yourself and remind yourself that you can do this."

The key, will be practice. Mooseheart does not play again until Friday, and that time will be used to address things Shuman saw in the opener.

"We'll chuck some balls at them and hopefully that will help," Shuman said.

"We've got three good days and that will help. It's always nice to get the first one out of the way and see what you have to work on. We have some work to do, but it's all very manageable."


Mooseheart stats: Aces: Stuart 2, Thornburg 2. Kills: Stryker 1, Sanchez 1.