Despite dropping its first seven matches of the season, Newtown High School's second-year boys' volleyball team has been competitive.

"We're right there. We just have to push to the next level to get the win," said Coach Sandy Doski, whose team dropped two games by just two points in a 3-1 (27-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-11) loss at Masuk of Monroe on April 13.

"They're in every match. They don't give up - they're diving," Doski said. "We're not looking at the ball. They're going for it. They're trying their hardest. That competitiveness you can't teach."

There is a lot of teaching, however, given the inexperience factor. Although many of the players have basic skills under their belts from a season at the junior varsity or varsity level last spring, there are many elements of their games that are being fine-tuned.

"We're all brand-new to the sport," the coach said.

With a bounce here or there, the outcome against Masuk could have been different. Same for Newtown's opening two losses - 3-2 decisions against both Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport and Danbury.

Against Masuk, Jake Lapp had ten assists, three aces, one block, and ten kills. Nick Lansing had ten assists, an ace, and a block. Jackson Fletcher added eight kills and a trio of blocks.

The Nighthawks dropped four-setters to visiting Xavier of Middletown on April 15, Oxford on April 18, and Danbury on April 20.

Xavier won 3-1 (25-14, 14-25, 25-16, 25-23). Lapp led the way with 14 kills, two aces, eight assists, and two blocks. Lansing earned a dozen assists to go along with two aces and a block.

Oxford prevailed 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 25-18, 25-9). Stubbs had six kills, an ace, and two blocks. Liam Jones compiled 17 digs. Fletcher had 7 kills and ten digs.

Danbury won 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-18). Fletcher had 34 digs. Silas Decker had six kills and a block. Robert Katrinak had two aces and a block.

Newtown is scheduled to visit Daniel Hand of Madison on Friday, April 22, beginning at 5:30 pm. The next home match is set for Thursday, April 28, when Cheshire visits for a 5:15 pm start.