The Grady varsity volleyball team opened the season with a 3-0 loss to Decatur while the JV team fell 2-1 to the Lady Bulldogs.

Two days earlier, a game at Lithia Springs was cancelled due to a scheduling miscommunication. The teams’ players are still adapting to each other but will mesh, varsity coach Constance Riley said.

“We got a late start to the season, but we played with a lot of cohesion,’’ Riley said.

After a 30-minute delay in the start of the JV game, the varsity team lost the first two sets 25-19 each and dropped the final set, 25-14. Despite the season-opening loss, the Lady Knights remain optimistic.

“We are getting along well and learning to read each other and work out the kinks so that our game can flow better,’’ junior Catherine Moore, a varsity player said. Both teams play Aug. 18 against Decatur and Chamblee at Decatur at 4:15 pm.

In the JV match, Grady split the first two sets, dropping frame one, 25-14 before storming back to snatch the second set 25-21 behind the powerful serves of junior Kira Johnson. The final and decisive set went to Decatur 15-8.

Moore thinks both teams will improve as the season progresses.

“We have a bright season ahead of us,’’ she said.