The Volts have made the worst possible start to the HRV Cup, losing their opening four games and are anchored at the bottom of the competition table.
The latest loss was a morale-denting, seven-wicket defeat to Central Districts in Invercargill yesterday. Former Otago player Kieran Noema-Barnett walloped 50 in 14 balls.
It was a bowler's worst nightmare and Hesson acknowledged the onslaught has left his side's confidence levels a little shaky.
"There is no doubt it [our confidence] has taken a bit of a beating," Hesson accepted.
"Twenty/20 is about confidence. Sometimes you have to show a bit of bravado and carry on as though you've got it, even though you probably haven't."
While the Volts' chances of reaching the final seem remote, Hesson was in no mood to concede defeat.
"It is not over but we've certainly made things very difficult for ourselves."
Auckland needed six wins to reach the final last season and, based on that benchmark, Otago could not afford to lose any of its remaining six round-robin games.
That is a tough ask but the return of the McCullum brothers - Brendon and Nathan - could alter the mood in the camp.
Hesson said the selectors would meet today but he was unsure whether the pair would be available for Otago's next assignment when he spoke to the Otago Daily Times last night.
If New Zealand Cricket clears the pair there is little doubt they will be rushed back into the playing XI.
While yesterday's loss was disappointing, Hesson said his side had shown character to battle back from a poor start with the bat.
"We fought back exceptionally well with the bat, from a position where we might have struggled to get 130. So I was pleased we showed courage to get through to 175. I thought that was about par.
"But the first six overs we bowled both sides of the wicket and made it very difficult for ourselves from there."
"Your first six overs set the tone. As a group we know the first six overs with both bat and ball haven't been good enough. That is certainly an area [where] we desperately need to show some improvement."
