The Bulldogs volleyball team started its season 0-4 after a particularly grueling part of its schedule.

On Thursday, the Bulldogs took on Great Bridge at home and lost 3-1.

However, the Bulldogs saw progress, as they won their first set Thursday after not winning any in the previous three games. King’s Fork won the third set against Great Bridge, 25-22.

“The game went well,” coach Kevin Howell said. “We are seeing a lot of improvement. Our fundamentals are getting better. Every day we want to find a way to get better.”

So far the Bulldogs have had a tough schedule, playing the likes of Hickory, Indian River and Western Branch. All four teams the Bulldogs have played are regarded as among the best boys’ volleyball teams in the area.

“The team has been very upbeat and positive so far,” Howell said. “Our schedule has been difficult thus far, but our team is competing hard each game. Their effort has been great.”

Howell is in his first year as the Bulldogs boys’ volleyball coach, and he too is making the adjustment with his team to get better day by day.

“This has been our first month with each other, and it’s a process,” he said. “How kids adjust and adapt to certain situations has been good for me to learn. We have goals we want to accomplish and we are going to work everyday to achieve them.”

King’s Fork is returning a team with less experience than in the past, but Howell likes how his team has progressed. Confidence is building for the team knowing they can win sets against tougher teams. As the team’s experience molds their raw skills, King’s Fork likes how the future looks for their volleyball team.

“A lot of guys are playing volleyball for their first time,” Howell said. “With the quality of opponents we are playing, those guys are gaining valuable experiences as players, which will also make our team better as a whole.”

Adjustments are a big part of volleyball, and the Bulldogs like where they are as a team when it comes to in game adjustments. Next for King’s Fork is a game against Lakeland High School.

“The teamwork is there,” Howell said. “Going forward we need to clean up unforced errors. Offensively we will put more plays in, but as long as our fundamentals are solid, we will be fine.”

King’s Fork will be at home against Lakeland at 7 p.m. Sept. 13.

King’s Fork 1   Great Bridge 3

25-15, 25-14, 25-22, 25-10