There’s an elusive pot of gold on Treasure Island.

And the Bainbridge Spartan girls volleyball players have a hand-drawn map to prove it.

On one end of the court during practice this week, a dry-erase board displayed the outline of Treasure Island, and the elusive prize that awaits the Bainbridge Spartans.

Like years past, the players sketched out their goals for the year at the start of the season. Last year, they drew a staircase and all the steps to improvement they hoped to scale along the way.

This year, the board sports a map of mythical Treasure Island, and the booty Bainbridge seeks is the chance to advance to Districts.

The first week of the play proved to be some tough sailing for the Spartans, however.

Bainbridge opened with a three-set win over Olympic, but faced Kingston the very next night and fell in three straight.

Two days later, it was on to Bellevue, where Bainbridge slipped again in three, 25-18, 25-23, 25-12.

There was still a bit more sailing into the wind before the first week would end for the Spartans: the Sterling Classic Saturday at Auburn Mountainview.

Spartan Head Coach Dominique Atherley said fatigue was a factor in the games against Kingston and Bellevue, as BHS dropped from a team hitting average of +.286 against Olympic to a -.089 team hitting average against Kingston.

The scurvy of unforced hitting errors continued to afflict the Spartans against the Wolverines, as they lost a 12.5 lead in the second set against Bellevue to lose 25-23.

But while the first two sets against Bellevue were very competitive, the third set was completely different.

“We sort of fell apart because the people who are used to being big contributors were tired and not having great days, so they were frustrated with themselves.

“So we had a good chat afterward, about how can you still be your best self … and how can you help someone else do it,” Atherley said.

“Going into the tournament this weekend, we had a tough, tough competition in the morning but people really just focused on doing their role the very best they could, and then encouraging their teammates to do the very best they could.

“And you could see by the end of the day, that we were way better as a team,” she said.

The first week marked a mix of physical exhaustion — three varsity meets and a tournament — as well as mental fatigue in the follow-up to the first game of the season.

Atherley said it was likely due to the comedown from the excitement of the first game. But the start of the school year, too, also probably played a part.

One thing that’s been constant, however, has been the increased level of competition.

That was evident during turnout.

Though the number of players coming out for volleyball this year dipped a bit, the strong level of play made up for it, the coach said.

“[Turnout] didn’t feel low because the competition was really good in the gym,” she said.

This year’s varsity squad includes four seniors, three juniors, four sophomores and a freshman.

There are eight returners from last year’s varsity team, and the only newcomer to the program is freshman setter Becca Roman (5-10).

The seniors are setter Paige Bouma (5-10), outside hitter Julia Jakubik (5-10), setter Izzy Brown (5-6) and outside hitter Mariko Ronan (5-8).

Juniors are defensive specialist Lauren De Gall (5-7), outside hitter Olivia Van Ness (5-9) and right side hitter Aidyn Goldsberry (5-8).

Sophomores are outside hitter Izzy Prentice (6-0), defensive specialist Florencia Olivera (5-0), middle Ava Targett (6-1) and middle Allie Wildsmith (6-1).

Key returns are Bouma as setter, with Jakubik on the outside — plus Targett and Wildsmith in the middle.

“They were both freshman last year and have a year of varsity under their belt now, which is real nice,” the coach said of the latter pair.

“The competition at practice this year has been really, really good,” Atherley added.

“Going into that first couple of games last week, I had to make some tough decisions. It was nice to have that option; people are just working really hard at practice and want to get better.”

There’s also a desire to make a few waves in Metro competition.

“There’s just a strong drive on this team that they want to win as a team, and play together as a team, so they’re really working hard on figuring out the mental aspect of competition and how to bring each other up when they are feeling down or tired,” the coach said.

“And so it’s been cool to see that they are cognizant of that. Volleyball is a true, true sport of teamwork where, if you touch the first ball, you literally can’t touch the ball the second time.

“Everyone’s contribution on the ball and even off the ball, makes the play so much more vital. And just the court awareness, even if you’re not playing the ball, you’re helping your teammates stay involved on the court, as well,” she said.

As the season settles in, the Spartans continue to make adjustments.

“Definitely, we want to keep working on our offense, and running some different plays.”

Another focus is streamlining the play of the team’s two senior setters and freshman setters, who have different frequencies and tempo.

Work in that area will ensure the Spartan hitters have more success.

The Sparty defense is also getting better.

“Our blocking improved a ton this weekend, which was nice to see,” Atherley said.

“I think we’ve got some really good passers and good defense going, but it’s just making sure that we’re still awake on the ball in case something comes our way.”

A big test of the season comes next week at home, when Bainbridge faces Bishop Blanchet Tuesday, Sept. 24 in Paski Gymnasium.

Even so, it’s hard not to scan the horizon for what lies ahead.

While the team’s goals include working hard and having fun, all that glitters is, well, gold.

“The pot of gold is Districts,” Atherley said.