It's been a time of rebuilding for the junior varsity girls volleyball team at Innisfail High School.
The team currently sits 0-4 with just two regular season games remaining before zone playoffs in early November.
"Our first game was the second week of September. We've played four league games already and have two left in the season," said Jennifer Leinweber, the new head coach of the junior varsity girls team.
The junior squad is competing in the 3A league this year, which includes schools from Ponoka, Camrose, Wetaskiwin and Rocky Mountain House, noted Leinweber. There are a total of seven schools in the league.
The coach spoke of some of the struggles the team has had and their determination to improve.
"We are 0-4 on the season but we are a young team," she said. "We have a lot of young players that haven't played (volleyball) very much but we're getting better every game," added Leinweber, noting players range from grades 9 to 11.
"It's supposed to be grades 10 and 11 but we didn't have quite enough players so we have four Grade 9 students playing on our junior varsity team this year," explained Leinweber. "They've come up and they're playing at a higher level than they normally do and that's really good."
Leinweber is impressed with what she has seen this season, despite the losses.
"The girls are a great group of girls, they try really hard and they put in great effort,” she said. “We are young compared to some of the other teams so some of the things that we're working on, the other teams have mastered a little bit better," added Leinweber, noting areas they are improving on this season.
"We work on our skills, on passing and serving. Their positions are really important and where they're supposed to be on the court,” she said. “In those four games I've seen a huge improvement already."
Leinweber said they are building their volleyball program again and pointed to possible future players from Innisfail Middle School.
"We should have a pretty strong program over the next couple of years," explained Leinweber, noting that some of the most important things on the court are for the girls to have fun, get involved and learn the sport.
If she could narrow it down to one thing to learn this season it's how to be a great teammate.
"Staying positive, helpful, supportive of each other and working together," said Leinweber. "You win together, you lose together and that's what being a great teammate is."
The next two regular season games for the junior varsity girls volleyball team will be Oct. 18 and 25.
Jennifer Leinweber, head coach
"The girls are a great group of girls, they try really hard and they put in great effort."
