And few could argue with the head coach, who has masterminded another hugely successful campaign for the Island’s élite netball club.
Having broken into the national league system for the first time last year following their play-off triumph, Jets couldn’t possibly have imagined that 12 months later they would be returning to Loughborough hunting for a place in Premier 2. Yet that is exactly where they find themselves; and it’s a opportunity they richly deserve.
Andrews’ team have enjoyed another excellent campaign, winning 13 of their 18 matches to place third in their maiden season at this level.
Now, they head north this weekend to play Premier 3 runners-up Kent – a side they have already beaten both home and away this term – and the teams placed eighth and ninth in Premier 2, Dominoes and Leyton, who’ve won just nine games between them all season.
When asked if she feels that Jets have already outgrown Premier 3 after just one season, Andrews said: ‘Yes, that’s how we feel.
‘We’ve not been outplayed by any team and only lost a handful of games. We’re ready for the next step up and we want to push onto the next level.’
Jets head into the playoffs in fine form, having won their last five league matches – and the annual inter-insular – and Andrews is acutely aware how important momentum could be.
‘We’re feeling very confident; we’re confident in our ability and the way we have progressed this season,’ she continued.
‘We’ve competed well with all teams in our division and finished in a really good manner. The momentum is with us, we need to make sure we keep the momentum we have got, we’re in the ascendency and it is ours to win.’
Jets will play each of the other teams once, with the top two at the end of the weekend securing a place in Premier 2 next season. The bottom two will participate in Premier 3 from September.
The Islanders begin with a match against division comrades Kent tomorrow morning before they face Dominoes in the afternoon and Leyton on Sunday morning.
Established in 1997, Manchester-based Dominoes placed fourth in Premier 2 last year but they’ve struggled to compete this term. However, having finished the regular season with three wins from five matches, they’re likely to provide Jets with their stiffest test.
On the opposition, Andrews added: ‘We want to start well and make it a hat-trick of wins against Kent.
‘We know they will be out to get us but we have a game plan which we know works against them.
‘We don’t know much about Leyton but we want to do the damage on the Saturday, well before that game.’
