Wins have been few and far between in past seasons for the Kent-Meridian volleyball team.

But even before the season began, third-year K-M coach Michael Christiansen has preached that this year’s team is different.

The Royals proved as much Tuesday night, knocking off perennial power and South Puget Sound League North Division foe Auburn Riverside in four games: 25-16, 25-20, 24-26 and 25-17.

“It was a good win,” Christiansen said. “It’s a game that if we want to get better and improve as a program, we need to win.”

Auburn Riverside, which has returned to the SPSL North this fall after two years in the SPSL 3A, took second at state a year ago. In addition, the Ravens (0-1, 1-3 heading into play Thursday night) have qualified for state in four of the last five years. In comparison, Kent-Meridian hasn’t qualified for state since 1998.

“They’re better and we are not at our best right now,” lamented Auburn Riverside coach Chris Leverenz. “The team that practices is not the team that shows up on the floor during games.”

Auburn Riverside also was playing without star outside hitter Brooke Bray, a first-team all-league selection a year ago who missed the match with a high-ankle sprain.

That said, the Royals (2-0, 2-3) delivered on Tuesday as Tanya Pyatohka, Kayla Ierlan and McKaley Brewer combined for 32 kills and seven blocks in the win. Setter Davina Fuiava added 33 assists and three aces for the Royals.

“Their setter did a really nice job slowing down the tempo for them,” Leverenz said of Fuiava. “She slows everything down and keeps her team in the game.”

Christiansen agreed.

“She’s been solid for us all year,” the coach said.