While there continues to be uncertainties surrounding the school year and fall sports across the state and country, Derby sports quietly started competition.

Fall teams have practiced every day since Aug. 17, and it was the volleyball team that was the first to compete in a real match. The Panthers went 2-2 at the AVCTL tournament at Newton. 

“I think this weekend was a good chance for us to see what kind of competition we were going to be up against and how everything isn’t going to be as easy as we think,” senior Sophie Connor said. 

 There’s still work to be done, but Connor believes the Panthers could repeat the 2019 success, which included a trip to the Class 6A tourney.

Girls golf also opened its season on Monday, taking first over Maize and Campus.

Halle Rader finished fifth, while Macey Truitt was eighth.

Boys soccer opens play on Thursday at home against Andover, while football opens its season on Friday at Mill Valley.