After winning three of its last 11 games the volleyball team is determined to bounce back from its losses through hard work and perseverance, according to coach Mark Nelson.

Despite having a rough start to the season, Nelson said he is proud of how hard the team is working.

“The girls are starting to show improvement,” Nelson said. “We’ve begun to catch glimpses of what we’ll become.”

According to Nelson, one of the team’s main weaknesses was the loss of two varsity players because of injury.

However, the return of these varsity players to the court has affected the team in a positive way, according to Nelson.

“(The two players) are both starters so it has definitely helped having them back in the game,” Nelson said.

In between games, the team members work on individual skills, such as passing and ball control.

The team also works out in the weight room twice a week to become stronger players, Nelson said.

“We are trying to build strength so that the girls can be more explosive,” Nelson said. “We want them to be able to jump higher and hit the ball harder.”

As well as working on physical skills, senior captain Holly Westwood said she believes the girls need to improve their focus.

“We need to realize what our mistakes are and instead of feeling bad about them, we need to improve them,” Westwood said.

Freshman Jade Schmeling said she believes having a younger varsity team complicates the team dynamics and may lead to a stronger team in the upcoming years.

“Because we’re such a young team, it can make things difficult, but in the long run it’ll improve the program,” she said.

The team’s next home match is Oct. 3. at 7 p.m. against Columbia Heights.