A 1-17 record a year ago meant there was nowhere to go but up for the Norwood High volleyball team. After a 3-2 (16-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-13, 15-13) loss to Milton in the season opener on Wednesday, it was apparent that the Mustangs had already started to work their way in that direction.

Against a team that swept them 3-0 in both meetings a year ago, Norwood looked solid for much of the way, playing very well in the first and fourth sets, while often times beset by the little mistakes in the second and third.

"Their communication was better than I’ve seen it, they were talking, calling all the balls," said new coach Paul Nimblett, who slides over a seat after serving as an assistant to Lauren Coville last year. "Our serve receive was really good, I don’t think a lot of serves dropped.

"I know we can hit the ball, but I feel like on defense we weren’t getting as good of a pass as we could to be able to put it down."

Nimblett said the number of service errors was a cause for concern and that tightening up the little miscues like net violations and hitting into the net will go a long way for the team.

This year’s squad is an experienced group with seven seniors returning, the bulk of which saw significant action. Norwood lost just three to graduation, but will be without Amy Duggan, an elite athlete who transferred to Noble and Greenough after a promising freshman season. Among the key returners are captains Shannon Reen, an outside hitter, and Kaileen Spaulding, a setter.

"Spaulding, she’s probably one of the best setters I’ve coached because she’s really good helping the girls out on the floor, understanding where the girls like their sets. She’s also a big advocate of talking and, I feel, she has a really good serve.

"Shannon is kind of a ringleader on the court, when they bring it in after every play, whether it’s a miss, a point or what have you, she’s going to bring them together and basically move on."

Also expected to see extended time on the floor are senior Kaitlin McCarthy and Amanda Springer, both middle hitters, and senior Gianna Pugliano, an outside hitter. Senior Kelly Duggan plays on the right side, junior Emily Clifford is a second option at setter and solid on the service line and senior Anna Shirosky is the libero.

Norwood rolled in the opening set, but lost the next two close, including failing to hold on to an early lead in the third after Spaulding ripped off nine straight service points.

The Mustangs forced a fifth set with a convincing win in the fourth.

In the final set, the Wildcats jumped out to a 7-2 lead, before Norwood tied it at 11 on a kill from Reen. Knotted at 13, Norwood was whistled for a key net violation, giving the hosts match point and Milton was able to secure the victory.

Spaulding had five kills and four aces to go with 26 assists. Reen added 11 kills and Clifford had four aces.

The Mustangs have their home opener Friday (4 p.m.) against Brookline.