In recent years, winning and Vinton volleyball didn’t always go hand in hand.

But the Lions started a turnaround last year under head coach Bridget Coppels with 16 wins and are halfway to that total 10 matches into the 2024 season.

Vinton won seven or fewer matches six times from 2016 to 2022.

The Lions are 8-2 but are out for more than wins.

“This group is a really special group, and they’re working really hard every day to be better every single day,” Coppels said. “They have this mission that they want to make a name for Vinton volleyball, and they’re doing a great job of that.

“We don’t have to be perfect, but we do have to be consistent. If we can take our consistency that we’ve had the last week or two and just keep going into October play with that consistency, I think we’re going to have a really fun playoff run.”

Nearly the entire roster picked up starting experience last season. They are ranked No. 14 in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division IV power ratings.

The Lions have won 28 of 34 sets.

“The biggest improvement is that we can score points,” Coppels said. “Last year we really struggled to score our own points, but this year we can score points. And that is just a testimony to how hard these hitters have worked to be better, swing harder, make better decisions in-game.”

Junior hitter Dru Coleman gives the Lions a strong offensive presence on the outside.

“This year I think she’s gotten mentally stronger, which makes her physically stronger,” Coppels said. “She put a lot of work into the offseason to be able to do what you see out there today, but I just think that her footwork’s really good right now, and she’s swinging really hard.

“She wants to be the big outside hitter, and she’s doing a good job of doing that.”

In the middle, Vinton has a pair of twins, Madison and Kelsey Jones, who are turning into power hitters.

“We call it hitting with mustard,” Coppels said, “and they’re doing a good job of putting power behind their hits.

“Last year they kind of learned how to be a middle, and this year they know how to be a middle, and they’re doing it with force.”

Junior setter Lauren Heinen keeps the offense running smoothly.

“She is having a phenomenal year,” Coppels said. “So last year we came in and my assistant and I had a lot of expectations for Lauren. She was only a sophomore last yea, and she just learned the game of volleyball a lot. This year she is running our offense. She is running our team. She’s a phenomenal leader.

“We are as good as we are this year because Lauren Heinen is as good as she is this year.”

Vinton has won five of their last six matches, including a 25-21, 20-25, 25-19, 25-14 win at Lake Charles College Prep on Tuesday.

Coleman had 13 kills, Heinen was credited with 22 assists and Kelsey and Jayla Shelton-Keys had five aces.

Suni Williams led LCCP (2-8) with a match-high 16 kills.