The team started the Plunket Shield brilliantly.
They picked up maximum points thanks to a seven-wicket win against Wellington at the Basin Reserve in November.
The results have dipped away over the last few weeks, though.
They battled back and held on for a draw against Canterbury in Dunedin late last month. And last week, they fought hard to stave off a loss to Northern Districts.
There was some resolute batting at the death, but they could not hold on.
They host Central Districts in round four. The match gets under way at the University Oval today.
"We’ve got behind a little bit [in recent games] and haven’t started as well as we’d like," Adams said.
"We’ve started to fight back. But I’d like us to, for want of a better term, be throwing the first punch, and we’re certainly working towards that."
Glenn Phillips provided some great leadership when he was with the side for the first two games, and skipper Luke Georgeson has been leading by example.
He has taken nine wickets at an average of 29.33 and scored 240 runs at an average of 120.
That batting average has been helped out by three not outs, which is perhaps a good indication that he could bat further up the order.
The 26-year-old is a former opener, so he is well-equipped for a spot in the top five. But last season, under coach Ashley Noffke, he shifted down the order and concentrated on his role as an all-rounder.
The Volts could do with his resolve up top.
Opener Jacob Cumming has made an impressive start to the campaign. He is the only Otago player among the top 10 leading scorers.
He has scored 302 runs at an average of 60.40, including a maiden first-class century.
Tom Jones smashed a sparkling 119 in his debut first-class innings. But since then, he has strung together scores of 0, 21, 1, 9 and 3.
Jack Boyle’s campaign looks like a carbon copy. He struck 156 in his maiden first-class innings for Otago, but has followed up with 10, 21, 9, 0 and 3.
Otago will need more out of the top order if they are going to take the match to the Stags, as Adams would like to see.
Right-arm seamer Toby Hart made the most of his opportunity against Northern Districts. He nabbed his maiden five-wicket bag — six for 73 — and gets another opportunity in an unchanged 12.
Central Districts are fresh from back-to-back wins. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel snaffled his 400th first-class wicket during the win against Canterbury at McLean Park last week, and wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver claimed his 300th dismissal.
