After winning just three games all last season, the Dove Creek volleyball team is off to a hot start.

The Lady Bulldogs opened the 2016 season last Friday with a 3-0 win over De Beque, and they followed it with a 3-0 sweep of Caprock Academy to move to 2-0 on the young season.

“We played pretty well, I thought,” said head coach Melissa Carver. “There was some stuff that was rusty for sure, but I definitely saw an increase in our aggression and passing ability, so it was a good way to start our season.”

The Lady Bulldogs return key contributors from last year’s squad in familiar positions. But they’ve also mixed things up a bit.

Seniors Kiera Baughman and Savannah Ayers are back at outside hitter and weakside hitter, respectively, and junior Larissa Randolph returns as setter.

And then, sophomore Breea Meyer will step in as the starting middle hitter and sophomore Madilyn Hankins returns, but in a new position. Juniors Faith Johnson and Mikayla Hankins are also back in the fold, and junior Marissa Hatfield will work in as the Bulldogs’ libero.

Carver said that while the Lady Bulldogs will play more aggressive offensively this season, she sees defense as their strength.

“Our defense is a strong point,” she said. “Our passing ability. And we’re definitely hitting a lot harder and more consistently than we were last year. So that’s going to be a strength for us as well.”

The Lady Bulldogs finished last year with a 3-18 overall record and 2-9 in San Juan Basin League play. But after starting out with two consecutive wins – and with perhaps a third coming on Friday in a rematch against De Beque – Dove Creek has high hopes for the 2016 season.

“We play some teams that we face in districts early in the season, which gives us an idea of where we’re headed,” Carver explained. “Making it out of districts and into the regional tournament is definitely a goal for us, and being top three in our league.”