If hard work really does pay off, the Warrior volleyball team expects this season to be rife with rewards.

The team has been busy putting in the necessary blood, sweat and tears nearly since school let out in the spring.

"I think that we're in great condition," said Jen Rodriguez, who has taken over the head coaching position from Adam Ellis.

And though she's a rookie head coach, Rodriguez has experience with the Warriors. An LHS graduate as Jen Krebs, she played volleyball at Humboldt State. She has coached at Nyssa High School in eastern Oregon, and for the past two years was the Lebanon junior varsity coach. She also has experience coaching club ball.

In addition to a new coach, Lebanon will have several new faces on the court this season, but worrying about inexperience doesn't fit with Rodriguez's philosophy.

"This year we talked a lot about using our strengths and using what we have, not really worrying about what we don't have," she said.

One thing they do have is talented personnel.

"We have a great coaching staff," Rodriguez said. Another LHS grad, former George Fox University standout Linzi Stolsig, is coaching the JV. Lei Himan-Teves, who competed for Linn-Benton Community College, is a varsity assistant.

Between knowledgeable instruction and strong effort, Rodriguez is looking forward to what the season holds.

"We would like to be competitive this year," she said. The program has more than 30 athletes out,

"I feel pretty optimistic," Rodriguez said. "The girls are so eager to work. I haven't ever seen anything like it in all the sports I've ever played. Or coached."

The Warriors return six players with varsity experience, including four seniors.

"The seniors in general have a great presence on the court and they're expected to carry the team with their leadership," Rodriguez said.

The four seniors are Hannah Suing, Megan Zaina, Jenessa Sheets and all-league player Nikki Miller; Suing and Zaina are captains. Sophomore Megan Benedict and junior Tasha Price, who saw varsity action last season, also return.

As for the Mid-Willamette Conference, "It's usually one of the tougher leagues in the 5A," Rodriguez said. "It's always pretty rough."

Lebanon's first conference match of the season is against defending league champion West Albany; the following match is against Crescent Valley, who tied for second in the MWC.

"We start off right there, thrown into the fire with the rest of the league," Rodriguez said. "The girls are pretty excited to see how they match up."

Before their MWC schedule starts, the Warriors have preseason jamborees at Crescent Valley, North Salem and Mountain View. Rodriguez welcomes the chance to see her players in action before they take on conference rivals.

"We have a great opportunity there to come together as a team before the real season starts," Rodriguez said.

It won't be the end of the squad's hard work, but it might signal what payoffs the rest of the season holds.

Head coach: Jen Rodriguez, first year

2007 season: 10-6 overall, fourth in MWC; second round of 5A state playoffs

: Tasha Price, Hannah Suing, Megan Zaina, Nikki Miller, Jenessa Sheets, Megan Benedict

LHS volleyball 2008

Home contests are in bold. League contests are denoted with a *.

8/28 C. Valley Jamboree Noon

9/02 N. Salem Jamboree TBA

9/06 Mt. View Jamboree TBA

9/09 W. Albany* 6 p.m.

9/11 C. Valley* 6 p.m.

9/16 Corvallis* 6 p.m.

9/18 Woodburn* 6 p.m.

9/20 Wilsonville tourney 8 a.m.

9/23 Silverton* 6 p.m.

9/25 Dallas* 6 p.m.

9/27 C. Valley tourney TBA

9/30 S. Albany* 6 p.m.

10/02 W. Albany* 6 p.m.

10/06 C. Valley* 6 p.m.

10/08 Corvallis* 6 p.m.

10/11 Glencoe tourney TBA

10/14 Woodburn* 6 p.m.

10/16 Silverton* 6 p.m.

10/18 Marshfield tourney TBA

10/21 Dallas* 6 p.m.

10/23 S. Albany* 6 p.m.