Flower Mound felt the next logical step to its previous two playoffs berths was to take a trip deep into last year’s postseason. Not only did that not happen, but the Jaguars missed playoffs entirely.

    So as they ready for the 2009 campaign, redemption is the only thing on their minds.

    “Last year was a good thing for us, it taught us a lot,” head coach Marci Brinkman said. “We will compete in district this year, and I see us as a top three team. In order to do that, though, we have to be mentally tough from start to finish.”

    Brinkman is looking to rekindle the fire that propelled the Jaguars into a program that can contend each year. When she took over three years ago, the Jaguars had posted a combined 17-53 record the previous two seasons. Over the next two years, they went 36-30 and made the playoffs twice – including winning their first ever playoff game in school history in 2007.

    Last year looked to be a third year in a row for the program as they finished in a tie for second place after the first round of district play came to a close. At one point, they were in first place. But then the wheels fell off. They lost every game from then on out, including being shut out in their last three games.

    Brinkman will be relying on just two returning starters from that team to get the job done this year. Liz Theesfeld and Annie Aspenson return to carry the bulk of the load. Theesfeld was named MVP of the team a year ago and is used to playing a lot of minutes on the court.

    “She is a big part of the team and has a lot of experience,” Brinkman said.

    Aspenson is the team’s libero this year, moving over from defense.

    “The way she is able to dig up balls, it amazes me sometimes,” Brinkman said of Aspenson. “She can attack the back row as well and is a true athlete.”

    The good news is there will be plenty of talented youth around them. Rachel Riley is expected to start at middle blocker after coming up from junior varsity last year. Brittney VanArsdale, though a senior, should see significant playing time after recovering from a shoulder injury last year.

    “Everything seems to be running smooth so far and we have a lot of young players who want to step up and make an impact,” Brinkman said. “They are playing well together, we just have to focus on the mental aspect of the game.”

    Flower Mound will kick off the season on Tuesday at home against Justin Northwest. They are part of a District 6-5A race that ended in a three-way tie for first place a year ago. Marcus, Coppell, Hebron, Southlake Carroll and Lewisville are all expected to be stronger this year.

    “This is one of the toughest districts around,” she said. “Every game you have to be ready.”