POULSBO — During this past weekend at the Kentlake Challenge and Monday at Wilson High School, the North Kitsap Viking volleyball squad (8-5, 2-1) proved that it will not lose by its own concession.

Throughout the first half of the season, NK has been consistently learning lessons which ignited an explosion in Wednesday night’s romp of the Foss Falcons. And among the stack of positives the Vikes pulled from the 3-0 — 25-12, 25-5, 25-5 — victory was a serving percentage that is nearing their early season goal of 90 percent accuracy. They left the service line Wednesday night at 89 percent.

Against Foss, senior outside hitter KC Fossum collected eight aces, serving not so much with force, rather placement. Over the weekend at Kentlake, junior Jessica Oullet racked up 10 aces in five games while senior Katie Richards and sophomore Stephanie Eadie each averaged a serving percentage above 90 percent with 91 and 96 percent respectively.

Now, while remaining vigilant behind the back line, the team is turning its attention to it offensive movement and defensive positioning. With big games coming up in the next two weeks against big-time opponents like Bellarmine Prep and Gig Harbor, passing and protecting will be keys to the Viking game.

“I think they’ve learned what it takes to play at a high level for a prolonged period of time, and they are still learning,” head coach Tim French said. “We need to be in position to handle anything that comes our way.”

At Wilson High School Monday night, the Vikings proved their character by handling a self-imposed trap that came their way halfway through the match. As the team slipped into a mental slump and started to get down, the Vikings picked themselves up.

After losing the first two games of the night 25-17 and 25-12 respectively, the Vikes bounced back with a fight in the third and final match. And though the Rams won by a count of 25-21, the Viking’s never-say-die attitude prevailed, French said.

“If we can come away from the match learning one or two things regardless of the score, we’re doing well,” French said. “I feel like they have become more and more comfortable with their roles and accepting those roles is a big part of them coming together and making it work.”

At the Kentlake Challenge Sept. 23, NK used the five games against non-conference opponents as a time to boost cohesiveness and walked away with a consolation title. As each player recognizes and realizes her individual role, the Vikings begin to function as a whole.

Nearly every area of the game has improved over the course of season, especially in the middle of the defense — Sara Jo Barrett and Christina Rose — at the net, French said. With emphasis being placed on fine tuning passing and positioning the Vikes heads into a tough stretch of their league season.

“I think one of the key matches will be this Tuesday when we go to Stadium,” French said of the team’s next match up at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3 in Tacoma. “I think that will be a big match as far as our confidence is concerned.”