The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy softball team had reasons to be confident before the 2015 season started, but everything that has happened since it got under way has only raised expectations.

“We’ve just got great team chemistry this year,” NSA coach Brittany Wilkins said.

The Lady Saints started the year March 12 with a 14-3 victory over host Portsmouth Christian School, featuring key offensive performances by sophomore Delaney Taylor, freshman Dani Goodman and freshman Emerson Puzey.

Taylor and Goodman are returners, but Puzey is new to the team, coming to NSA from Jolliff Middle School.

On Tuesday, junior Brooklyne Carr and Goodman helped fuel a 22-1 rout of host Norfolk Collegiate School, with Puzey getting the win on the mound.

Carr has established herself as a power hitter.

This year, “I expect the same thing with her bat,” Wilkins said. “We’ve also flipped her around and put her on the left side of the field” on defense, moving her from first to third base. “And so far, so good.”

Nansemond-Suffolk went 3-0 on Wednesday with a 4-2 come-from-behind win against host Brunswick Academy. Taylor hit a two-RBI triple in the final inning to put her team ahead and scored another run later to give it a cushion.

“She’s just a very multi-faceted player,” Wilkins said of Taylor, who plays in the middle infield. She can bat left and right, is skilled with her glove and Wilkins said she is “always willing to go the extra mile for anyone on the team.”

The coach said shortstop/second baseman Dani Goodman is very similar to Taylor. She is good with her glove in the field, a vocal presence and really good with her bat.

“She’ll do anything that I ask of her,” Wilkins said.

The Lady Saints are pressing on without star player Macy Mears, who graduated after last season, and pitcher Emily “EJ” Bankson, now a freshman, who transferred to Windsor High School.

Both of them helped NSA go 12-9 last year, placing second in the conference tournament. The 2014 season ended in the state quarterfinals with a 2-1 loss to The Covenant School.

Though Nansemond-Suffolk lost its pitcher, it gained one when junior Katie Peelen transferred in from Lakeland High School.

Wilkins said Peelen has had a huge impact and is “a huge addition for us this year.”

She registered wins on the mound against Portsmouth Christian and Brunswick, and she gives the Lady Saints another experienced team member who plays year around.

While Puzey, who plays first base and bats well, will pitch some, Wilkins said Peelen is “going to be our go-to girl for the mound.”

Freshman Madi Wilson returns this season behind the plate.

“As a catcher, she’s going to be our vocal leader,” Wilkins said, noting Wilson also has a great eye, great presence at the plate and a strong bat.

The coach said she absolutely thinks NSA can be back in the conference title game and back in the state tournament this year.

“We’ve definitely got high expectations,” she said.

Nansemond-Suffolk (3-0) hosts Isle of Wight Academy on Tuesday.