The Chilton Christian Academy volleyball team has come a long way.

After not fielding a varsity squad last season because of the team’s youth, coach Marilyn Jones said the Patriots need a win to take their progress to the next level.

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Aug. 7-8: Tiger Tournament at Oxford

Aug. 11: vs. Marion (L)

Aug. 14: vs. Conecuh Springs

Aug. 21: at Northside

Aug. 25: at New River

Aug. 27: at Victory-Millbrook

Sept. 3: at Tuscaloosa Christian

Sept. 8: vs. vs. Eastwood

Sept. 10: vs. Victory-Columbus

Sept. 15: vs. Cahawba

Sept. 21: vs. Victory-Millbrook

Sept. 22: at Eastwood

Sept. 25: vs. Northside

Oct. 2: at Conecuh Springs

It didn’t come Tuesday, though, as the Patriots fell to visiting Marion Academy, 25-18, 25-13, 25-15.

But Jones has not been displeased.

“This is the first year I haven’t had to yell at them because they didn’t have that passion,” Jones said.

CCA showed some of its grittiness against the Panthers (1-0). After falling behind 12-1 in the first game, CCA closed the gap to 19-17 but couldn’t finish.

The Patriots could never get it going again after dropping Game 1.

But the season has only begun, and the Patriots are a close-knit group that have experience playing together.

There are no seniors on the team, but the juniors were on Jones’ first junior varsity team five years ago.

Also making Jones hopeful is that the freshmen will play on the varsity and JV squads.

“They go from being the experienced ones on JV to being the young ones with the varsity,” she said. “That’s good for them.

“If we work hard, it doesn’t matter the outcome, but to get that first win would be ideal.”