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 Practically building from scratch, the Heritage volleyball team checked off its most important first of the 2010 season on Thursday - its first win.

 The Patriots are not only welcoming a new coach this season, but practically a new team as 10 players graduated from a state playoff team a year ago.

 After three matches on Saturday coach Shawn Darling led the Patriots on to the court at Heritage for the first time Thursday night and liked what she saw in the first match.

 In a tri-match against Union Grove and Apalachee, the Patriots earned a 2-1 opening win against Union Grove.

 In the second match, Heritage was swept by Apalachee, but Darling nonetheless was pleased with the teams' result against Union Grove.

 The Patriots struggled in the first set against Union Grove, but came out in the second and third with a better result.

 "The first match we played them really close, but couldn't quite get it out," Darling said. "They came out in the second set ready to play and the score reflected that. We were much more successful.

 "Then in the third set they came out ready to play again. They're picking everything up that I'm asking them to do."

 The Patriots started out the season last Saturday with three straight sweeps to North Cobb, Walton and Sprayberry and plenty to work on as their first home match approached.

 "This past Saturday we struggled with serve-receive and we struggled with defense," Darling said. "So that's pretty much all we did in practice the first couple of days and they looked so much better."

 The effort paid off against Union Grove, holding them to under 25 points in the final game.

 "They're moving well together," Darling said. "They're communicating and it showed in our play."

 The Patriots also handled new offense that Darling has installed, playing with a quicker tempo.

 "I'm adding in a faster offense and they're picking up on it," Darling said. "They ran a couple quick plays in that last match and it looked great. We got a couple of kills off of it."

 Darling inherited the Region 8-AAAA champions and elite eight finishers after serving as assistant coach at Cameron University in Oklahoma. Darling also played for four consecutive state title teams at Woodward Academy.

 The Patriots play again Saturday in the Dig Pink Tournament against Locust Grove, Lovett, Landmark Christian, Prince Avenue Christian and Jonesboro starting at 9 a.m.