Newtown High School's boys' volleyball team, which has made strides each spring - culminating with its first state tournament qualification last campaign after posting an 8-12 record - is looking to continue the upward trend this campaign.

Players come into the season with established positions on the court and multiple years of practice and match play, including that which they have been a part of during offseason leagues.

"I feel like we're stronger this year. The kids played winter ball," Coach Sandy Doski said. "I now have the right people in the right spots and I think we're going to surprise a lot of people."

That could mean challenging for a South-West Conference championship.

"We're very hopeful this year for SWCs," Doski said of being one of the top two teams among the five in the conference, which qualify for the one and only SWC playoff match, the championship.

Traditionally, Joel Barlow of Redding, Masuk of Monroe, and Oxford have dominated the conference, which also includes Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport.

"A lot of the SWC teams are in their rebuilding year. We're finally over that hump of rebuilding," said Doski, whose program has been building from the ground up during the past few years, but will have to overcome the losses of a trio of graduates.

"I'm so excited, very excited, for this season. I think we're going to do very well. We're more confident in our play, which then shows on the court," Doski said. "They've obviously improved their skills tremendously. It's fun to watch them play."

Doski said the increased confidence on the part of her players has resulted in improved communication on the floor with the Nighthawks calling for sets, for example.

"I'm very excited to see where we pan out," the coach said.

The captains are libero Matt Principi and outside hitters Robbie Morrill and Ardian Kodzodziku.

Strengths of this team include setting and outside hitting, Doski said. Setters are Eric Moore and Liam Jones.

Silas Decker is among the top returnees and is joined by Morten Sande and Jack Murray in the middle hitter position.

Jacob Duffy and Thomas Phaneuf are outside hitters. Libero is Kyle Nicholson. Right side hitters include Nate Jones, Danny Schreiber, and Zach Marks.

Newtown jumps into the fire with a season-opening match against defending Class L and FCIAC champion Darien when the Blue Wave visits NHS on Saturday, March 31, for an 11 am tilt.

Also on the schedule is Cheshire, which was unbeaten in the regular slate and reached the Class L semifinals, along with Southern Connecticut Conference winner Shelton, and SCC team Xavier, which won nine matches.