New season, new coach, new program by Holly Meer

     This year the GJHS volleyball team welcomes a new season, as well as a new coach.

     Leslie Vines took over the volleyball program this season after coach Lynette Robinson resigned last spring.

     Vines played volleyball for four years at DeBeque High School and later coached the varsity team there for one year.

     After a five-year break from volleyball, Vines is excited to be appointed as the head coach.

     “I’ve been waiting to get back into it, (but) I am getting too old to play. I applied because I fit the bill,” Vines said.

     Even though Vines is new to the program, she feels that this will be positive for the team because of her energy and enthusiasm. She sees promising talent in her new team.

     “I see a lot of potential and coachable girls,” Vines said.

     Although Vines is optimistic about the upcoming season, the team has already faced some challenges preparing for the season.

     Vines became head coach at the end of June, while most of the teams around the valley had already held multiple open gyms every week with their coaches.

     GJHS began waxing their gym floors in mid-July, forcing the volleyball team to find another place to practice.

     Luckily, the team was able to hold open gyms at West Middle School for the rest of the summer.

     Before the GJHS gyms were closed, Vines held a team camp, July 16 and 17, where the girls worked on team building and revisited the fundamentals.

     The team went back to perfecting the basics, which included passing, hitting, digging and serving.

     “The camp helped (the coaches) get to know the girls and the kind of skills we have to start with,” Vines said. “(It) gave us an idea of how far we can go this season.”

     So far the girls are receptive to their new coach.

     “I like her. She is doing a really good job so far. I think she has what it takes to run this volleyball program,” junior Kricket Adleman said. “I like that she is really into the program, and that she wants us to do well and win.”

      Sophomore Rachel Stahl agrees.

     “I really like Coach Vines. I think she will do a good job and bring new knowledge and great skills to the program. It will be a completely different season, but it’s for the best,” Stahl said.

…..Vines is not concerned about past programs or seasons because she is focused on the upcoming season, although she would like to see more victories.

     “I believe a happy team wins and a disciplined team wins. If a team has a desire (to win), then they can match that with any offense or defense. I want to see girls excited to come play,” Vines said.

     Vines’ main goal as a coach is to create a fun atmosphere for the players.

     “I want (the gym) to be a place where (the players) enjoy coming. I want this to be a positive environment, and I want to provide opportunity for all the girls who come in here.”