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The Salem High School volleyball team has struggled for wins over the past two seasons, winning only one match last year and none at all in 2008, but this year's team seems poised to show substantial improvement.

With the 2010 season barely underway, the Lady Seminoles have already posted one win and came within an eyelash of another against Newton on Tuesday.

The hosts Lady Seminoles fell 3-1 to Newton County and 2-0 to Loganville high school on Tuesday.

"I think this year is going to be better for us," said Coach Chanestia Davis of the start to 2010. "We won our first game so that's a good sign."

One reason for optimism, according to Davis, is the conditioning program team members participated in over the summer along with a few days at a volleyball camp hosted by the University of Georgia.

"The camp at UGA should be a real positive for us," Davis said. "It should help us develop and play as a team and not as individuals."

In addition, Assistant Coach Juanita Hayes, who is also a physical trainer, has joined the staff.

Davis believes this commitment to pre-season preparation and conditioning will be a key element in the team's progress and a source of strength the team can draw on during the season.

The 2010 team will be lead by senior captain LeAndra Prempeh and co-captains Kelsey Simmons and D'Andra Harper. Harper is new to Salem but has blended in with her new teammates quite well, according to Davis. Sophomore Danielle Thomas will be expected to shoulder much of the load in the middle.

According to Davis, who played college volleyball at Clark-Atlanta University, even the first loss this year demonstrated improvement over 2009.

Last year's match against Clarke-Central High School wasn't very close, but this time around, following the Lady Seminoles first win, the girl's were much more competitive.

"Even though we didn't get the victory, I saw a lot of growth in the team," Coach Davis said.

The Lady Seminoles lost both matches in its tri-match with Loganville and Newton on Tuesday, but playing the Lady Rams about as close as you can.

The Lady Seminoles and Lady Rams were tied at 19 before the Lady Rams went on a 3-0 run to take a 22-19 lead, but the Lady Seminoles came right back and won 26-24. The second game was another see-saw affair with Salem ahead 14-10 at one point before giving up eight straight points and falling behind 18-14. With LeAndra Prempeh serving, the Lady Seminoles tied it up at 20, but the lead changed hands several times before Newton County won by the same 26-24 score. The third game as just a close as the first two with Newton County edging Salem 22-25.

After Loganville dispatched Newton County 2-0, the Lady Seminoles had their shot the Red Devils. Salem fell behind 5-0 in the first game, but tied the score with D'Andra Harper holding serve for several points. Loganville vaulted to a 20-10 lead, though, and won 25-14. The second game got off to a terrible start for Salem with Loganville scoring the first eight points. Once again, Salem fought back and trailed only 11-6 before a few sloppy points put the game almost out of reach. Trailing 7-21, Coach Davis elected to play her younger players who acquitted themselves well under the circumstances. Loganville won the second match 25-10.

Davis said she knew the match with Loganville was going to be difficult, but she was disappointed with the loss to Newton County.

"I really thought we had that one," she said. "But they're learning. Hopefully we'll be able to get it together."