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New coach. Same winning expectations.

And so far, St. Andrew’s volleyball hasn't missed a beat.

The Lions are off to a 10-1 start under first-year head coach Jessee Grubesic, including a 2-0 start in region play.

St. Andrew’s volleyball players and coaches pose for a team photo after the Lions’ win over The Habersham School. (Photo courtesy of St. Andrew’s Athletics)

But here's the number that really jumps out. They've dropped just one match all season.

So what's working?

For Grubesic, it starts with a group that has bought into what she is asking them to do.

“The girls are bought in,” Grubesic said. “They're all bought into the process of winning. They trust the lineups that go out every single game.”

Those lineups don't always stay the same.

“We're a stacked team,” she said. “Everybody's fighting for their position.”

There may be new leadership at St. Andrew’s, but Grubesic didn't inherit a team that needed to learn how to win. She inherited one that wanted to keep winning.

Grubesic took over for veteran Savannah coach Bobbi Mock, who retired after four seasons at St. Andrew’s. Mock left behind a program coming off a region championship and a trip to the GIAA Class AAA Elite Eight.

Grubesic knew she didn't need to come in and change everything.

“Bobbi is a great coach,” Grubesic said. “She created a foundation for girls that now I get to train and compete with. Quite honestly, without her help, we wouldn't be where we are.”

The Lions have taken that foundation and kept going.

St. Andrew’s opened region play with straight-set victories over Augusta Prep and Westminster, moving the Lions to 2-0 in the region.

It helps to have experience on the court.

Senior setter Grace Dare was a Savannah Morning News All-Greater Savannah first-team and GIAA All-State selection last season after finishing with 563 assists, 206 digs, 70 aces and 57 kills.

Senior Ryan McGee returns after recording 177 kills last season, while junior Khloe Jesswein, now in her third season as a starter, had 128 kills a year ago.

Those are the numbers.

Grubesic sees something else.

“They want to win,” she said. “There's a difference between athletes who want to play and athletes who want to win. I have a group of 10 or 11 girls who want to win, which is amazing.”

And it's not only about the six players on the court.

Grubesic said the way the Lions pull for one another has stood out to her since taking over.

“They have heart for the game,” she said. “There are six spots on the court, but each one of these girls elevates and motivates each other to either be on the court or be a cheerleader for each other whenever they're off the court.”

This is Grubesic's first head-coaching job at the high school level, but volleyball isn't new to her.

St. Andrew’s head volleyball coach Jessee Grubesic is in her first season leading the Lions. (Photo courtesy of St. Andrew’s Athletics)

She played collegiately at Saint Peter’s University, San Diego Christian College and Savannah State University before serving as a graduate assistant at Valdosta State. She has also coached club volleyball with Savannah Volleyball Elite.

And that's actually where the St. Andrew’s connection started.

One of Grubesic's club players told her the Lions had a coaching opening.

“I just kind of followed up,” Grubesic said, “and it fell into my lap.”

Now she's 10-1.

But Grubesic also knows where this program has been. St. Andrew’s reached the Elite Eight last season, and this group wants more.

She doesn't think getting there requires looking too far ahead.

“I think they just need to take it day by day and really realize that they can beat anybody,” Grubesic said. “They've got to figure out how to be consistent on our side before we start worrying about who else is on the other side.”

That's the challenge now.

There is a lot of volleyball still to play, and a 10-1 start doesn't guarantee anything when the postseason arrives.

For now, though, the Lions are winning, they're together, and they're 2-0 where it matters — in region play.

Not a bad start for a new coach.

Photos courtesy St. Andrew’s School Athletic Department

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