The Wareham High School girls volleyball team will have a new coach this year, and he’s hoping to help turn things around for a team that won just two games last year.

“This year's team has much room for improvement, but I've seen a couple flashes of potential as they’ve been working hard,” said Ben Kaeterle, who’s in his first year with the varsity team. Kaeterle previously coached the girls JV team from 2010-2012. “They are building experience together, and building chemistry and confidence will take some time.”

He also coached the boys junior varsity team in 2010, as well as the boys varsity teams in 2011 and 2012. There is no longer a boys' program at the school.

Kaeterle, who is from New Bedford, played at New Bedford High from 2002 to 2006, where he was a conference/scholastic all-star. He has playing experience with the Newport Beach League, and also coached at New Bedford High Whaler Camp for four summer sessions and was an assistant for Bay State Coastal volleyball team in 2013.

Kaeterle said he’s hoping for a few more wins out of the team this year.

“The South Coast Conference is very competitive, but we hope to close the gap with everyone else in the middle of the pack,” he said. “My long-term goal would be to try to get back to the postseason, and a .500 record would be a great bounce back and accomplishment for this team.”

One of the key players returning from last year is senior middle blocker Kia Fernandes.

“She’ll be a big presence at the net,” said Kaeterle.

Other players returning include senior outside hitter/middle blocker Rae-Lyn Pina, junior outside hitter Erica Trask, and junior setter/libero Brandi Crispin. Some new players Kaeterle hopes to make an impact are senior libero Teddy Matthews, sophomore setter Sara Tyma, and sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter Hunter Thatcher.

The Wareham High School girls’ volleyball team will have its first game at home against New Bedford Vocational on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.