Livingston Volleyball Rolling With Hot Hand

In a season of rebuilding and learning, Livingston Academy Volleyball Coach Christie Jenkins said the talent is there but effort needs to improve.

After starting the season 0-8 for the first time in Jenkins tenure, she said it’s been one of the most challenging years of her coaching career. But after tinkering with her rotation, the Wildcats found success.

“Right now I kind of feel like, we’ve established where most kids are going to play,” Jenkins said. “And then it is just whoever is playing the best will play in those positions and if you are struggling that night, you’ll not play.”

This hot hand approach to coaching is something that Jenkins has not had to rely on in years past. But with the team featuring many underclassmen playing varsity for the first time, Jenkins said she’s had to reel back her intensity.

“I feel like as their coach, yes I have to correct everything, but sometimes they’re already so mentally down on themselves from making mistakes,” Jenkins said. “So, I try to be the biggest cheerleader for them also. It’s been stressful at times, because you can see their frustration on their faces. We’re so used to winning and being successful and we’re just in a position right now where we’re just learning.”

After an eight game losing streak ended after beating Watertown, the Wildcats followed it up the next night with a 3-0 shutout over DeKalb County. Jenkins said those wins felt nice, but she’s not satisfied with where her team stands.

“I want them to be excited, but I also want them to understand that we can beat anybody,” Jenkins said. “And that’s what I’ve tried to put in them the last two weeks is that we can beat anybody if we just play hard. We have the talent. It’s just about working together, being aggressive and being confident.”

Jenkins said in the locker room after their wins, she questions the team on how they think the team can improve. She said she wants her players to have a say in the program’s direction.

“It’s not just me telling you this, I need you to understand where we’re the weakest and what we need to work on and I want them to understand too where we’re strongest,” Jenkins said. “I have very intelligent children on the team, I just got to get them to work harder.”