The Lakeland High School boys’ volleyball team does not have many players left from last year’s squad, but the few returners and the cast of new faces helped produce the Cavaliers’ first win of the season on Tuesday night against visiting Nansemond River High School.

Lakeland won 25-20, 25-18, 20-25, 25-20, showing growth from their previous three matches.

“I was actually kind of surprised how they played in that game, because the first three games we were very unorganized and all over the place,” Cavaliers coach Omar McGann said.

He had not really established a setter, but decided to hand those responsibilities over to 6-foot-6-inch senior team captain Irvin Ashburn when he is on the back row. While on the front row, Ashburn will attack off the second hit.

Overall, Ashburn had a strong match, leading his team with 13 kills, 12 aces and six blocks.

He is one of the three returners to a Lakeland team that lost five of its starting six to graduation.

Last year, the Cavs struggled with a distinct overall losing record. They had some wins in the Ironclad Conference and even went up by two sets against Denbigh High School in the first round of the conference tournament before losing in five sets.

This year, Lakeland (1-3, 1-0) must move ahead without graduates Ryan Stalnaker and Nolan Knight, but McGann likes what he’s seen from Ashburn and senior outside hitter Wesley Arrington.

“They’ve got pretty good chemistry going,” the coach said.

Ashburn has great versatility and the ability to make the big play and has shown he can be a leader.

“He’s the guy that tries to get everybody involved,” McGann said.

He is also a great student, and McGann hopes to get a college to look at him as a potential volleyball recruit.

Arrington is playing volleyball for only the second year, but is a major asset to the Cavaliers.

“He’s still learning the game, but he compensates it well with his athleticism and his intensity,” McGann said.

Arrington recorded six kills and one block on Tuesday.

Sophomore libero Kyle Stuart was already a key contributor for Lakeland last year and is likely even more important now.

McGann noted Stuart provides a good example for his teammates of how to pass and where to be on the court.

“He’s our best passer,” McGann said, and later added, “He’s really going to be a big help on the back row.”

The coach said a lot of his young players who are learning the game are actually in the starting lineup. Freshman outside hitter Hunter Rawls is among that number, and McGann sees him as an up-and-comer.

Because of the youth on the team, the coach sees Lakeland being around the middle of the pack but becoming more dangerous as the year progresses.

“Near the end of the season, I think we’ll be a team that’s going to be reckoned with,” he said.

The Cavaliers visit King’s Fork High School this evening.