POULSBO — When coaches refer to an upcoming sports season as a “building year,” they usually mean it’s a chance for their team to grow and set up for wins down the road, not in the immediate future.

North Kitsap High School’s new fastpitch coach, Jamie Heins, has put her own spin on the term.

“She pushes us to do our best,” center fielder Ashleigh Marcelino said of Heins. “We’re building up the program for success.”

Heins and the Viking squad, which contains just three seniors, hope to see that success sooner rather than later. The first-year coach is trying to instill optimism and a focus on fundamentals in her players early in the season. She believes those elements, combined with dedication and hard work, will allow the Vikings to be competitive throughout the year.

“The three of us coaches are going to try and bring the girls back to the basics,” Heins, a 2004 North Kitsap grad, said. “I still expect a lot from them. My expectations are still high, and I still push them.”

One of the three seniors on this year’s team is shortstop Kayla Young, a transfer from Ferndale High School. Young sees promise in her teammates, regardless of their age.

“My whole team is dedicated to getting better,” she said. “We really mesh well together, which is huge.”

The idea that 2010 is a building year doesn’t lower Young’s expectations, either.

“If anything, it sets them higher,” she said. “Being a senior and knowing it’s a building year makes me excited. I think it makes us (the seniors) step up more.”

Alongside their optimism, Heins and the North Kitsap players admit the team has plenty of room to grow. The Vikings lost their season opener March 13 to Chimacum, 14-1.

“We need to swing the bat,” Young said.

The Vikings will take a few more swings Friday in their home opener. They host Bremerton High at 4 p.m. With 17 games yet to be played, the team is looking to grow every day.

“We’re going to work hard, have fun and get to where we need to be,” Heins said.