Taking an 0-13 record into the final three games of the season might not sound all that exciting for most athletes.

When those three games represent the final three matches of your OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) career, perhaps there might be an air of wistfulness as an important chapter in your life is closing.

But College Boreal Viperes' 4th year libero Jayme Landry is genuinely excited, in this moment, even as chances are high that her team may register a winless season.

Perspective, in this case, means everything.

"The coaches (Bryan Welsh / Kevin McKee) have been doing so much in the sense of recruiting and just trying to get as many faces involved in our program as possible," said Landry, a native of Sturgeon Falls who returned to Boreal for a fourth year, in part, simply for the enjoyment of varsity sports.

"We're getting more and more girls who have really good knowledge of the volleyball game and have played (higher levels) before," she added. "I think we are moving towards becoming a team that can make it to the playoffs, but we need even more numbers and court knowledge to be able to pull through."

The raising of the bar in recent years even forced Landry to tap into the adaptability she learned at E.S. Franco-Cite, making the move to libero after serving as setter given the addition, to the roster, of rookie Isabella McPhee this year.

"She is an incredible player so I knew that I might have to transition to a more defensive position - and I have loved it," noted Landry. "I've always wanted to play libero."

"Our new setter has been getting blocks like its nobody's business, so this is a good strategic play for our team."

It is that kind of unselfish approach that has made Landry a favourite for pretty much every coach she has ever played for. Through the challenges of playing for a school that has by far the smallets student-body in the OCAA, the 23 year-old graduate of the Early Childhood Education program somehow always sees a glass as half full.

"We are not a team that has big recruiting numbers - as of right now; we're not a playoff team - as of right now. We're working towards that. But honestly, Boreal is just a great school."

"They are very much there for their athletes, academically and on the sports side of it. It's much smaller, compared to most schools - so it's a tight community."

"That is really what I liked about the environment, what made me come back - just the amount of support that I received on and off the court."

On Saturday, the Viperes were swept by the Fanshawe Falcons (10-4) by scores of 25-17, 25-14, 25-18. Despite the absence of 6'2" freshman middle Michelle Scratch from CND due to injury, the Boreal attack nonetheless were able to force the Falcons to play them tough.

Manissa Yessad (9 kills), Angelica Lapensee (4) and Zoe St Jean (3) led the homeside at the net, with Kaylee Lavallee adding three blocks and Landry recording six digs.

On Sunday, Boreal will face the Conestoga Condors, closing out the 2025-2026 campaign with another road trip to Toronto - and one last set of memories for Jayme Landry.

"The one thing I would tell new players is to always keep pushing, no matter the circumstances, no matter the environment," she said. "Being on a team that doesn't win can be hard."

"But just keep playing, win or lose, and know that you are going to get there," Landry added. "Enjoy the ride, enjoy the time to be with your teammates and coaches, enjoy coming home on the bus at 4:00 a.m."

"It might suck in the moment, but honestly, you're truly going to miss it when it's all gone."

Rounding out the Boreal roster this year are Tianna Rosati, Claudie Alary, Kahlan Bellaire and Latifa Diabate.