TACOMA — Coming into the season, players on the North Kitsap High School volleyball team knew it would take a bit of time to adjust to each other, find a groove and pick up the pace. But no one could’ve guessed the Vikings would hit their stride so soon.

Traveling to Tacoma to take on Foss in the first league match of the season, the Viking spikers came away with a 3-0 win in a big way — 25-11, 25-9, 25-9. Though the Falcons displayed a plethora of inexperience, the game was still a testament to NK’s teamwork, head coach Tim French said.

“It always feels good to get the first win of the season,” French said. “Foss was quite young and inexperienced. The challenge for (our) girls was to maintain focus and a competitive edge throughout the match.”

KC Fossum, North’s senior outside hitter, tipped the Vikings over the competitive edge with 10 kills, while serving 13-for-14. NK senior Katie Richards added 6 kills while junior Amy Cox nailed four aces and contributed 18 assists.

After the game, French said how impressed he has been with the leadership as well as the level of play, which Cox has displayed in the first two games of the season.

French also said the success of this season will likely revolve aråound those three core players — Fossum, Cox and Richards — but it will depend on team players who step up in supporting roles. At Foss, sophomores Rachel Bishop, Stephanie Eadie and Alanna Shores came off the bench to contribute to the win as Bishop delivered two aces on perfect serving, Shores doled out three assists and Eadie brought the solidity to North’s court.

In the Vikings’ first match of the year against Bainbridge, that strength was somewhat absent in a 3-1 loss.

“Although disappointed in our inability to finish the game in a strong way, I was proud of the way the girls competed and gave themselves a chance to win,” French said of the opener.

The Spartans brought a dominating physique into the NKHS gym with three players at or over 6-foot in comparison to North, who’s tallest player is stretching to 5-11.

In response to that disposition, Cox had an excellent game, setting up 27 assists, while junior libero Kailey Jakola picked up 30 digs on the defensive. Fossum fired 17 kills, picked up eight digs and stood tall with two blocks while Jessica Ouellet added another eight digs and seven kills to North’s cause.

“I’m hoping we learned a lesson here,” French said of the team’s first two games. “If we are to reach our potential, we will need to play with a purpose and with passion at all times.”

The Vikes should have no problem finding passion for their next match as they travel to Silverdale to take on Central Kitsap at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12. Then they will be back in Poulsbo hosting Steilacoom at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14.