The women's volleyball team, winners of the last five Atlantic 10 Conference titles, will be hard-pressed to improve on last year's 27-9 record, but Coach Russ Rose feels that the Lady Lions are capable of doing just that.

"I feel that we are making some significant strides in the area of serving and we're really trying to work on our ability to receive serve and play backcourt defense," Rose said.

Redshirt junior setter Michelle Jaworski, who was last year's A-10 MVP, agrees.

"I think this team looks really good," Jaworski said. "We have five people from last year who played and a strong freshman class that came in and really contributed a lot to our team. The communication is coming along really well and the team is pulling together really well so I think it will be a winning season."

Rose, who has been named A-10 Coach of the Year three times in the last four years, said this team has the potential to be explosive offensively.

"Potentially this is the strongest offensive team that we've had in a number of years," Rose said. "Hopefully we'll be able to do those other ball handling skills that will allow us to demonstrate our proficiency at the net."

In addition, Rose thinks Penn State is the head of the class in the Atlantic 10, "We're certainly the team to beat in the conference having won the conference championship for the last five years," Rose said. "The conference is getting stronger and we have to get stronger. I like to see us have some success. You know we were a Top 20 team for about six years, seven years, and then last year with all the injuries I really feel we took a step back so we really need to turn it on again."

Someone who can "turn it on" will be Jaworski. As a freshman she garnered A-10 Player of the Year honors. But Jaworski missed the NCAA tournament when she had to undergo reconstructive knee surgery after tearing knee ligaments in the final match of the regular season.

However, she said the knee is fine now and she's ready to play.

"I feel a lot stronger actually than I did last year," she said. "I feel a lot more confident. Not only did I do rehab while I was out, but I did a lot of thinking about the game and tried to improve my mental game so that when I did come back I would come back stronger mentally than I had been when I was a freshman. So I don't think my knee is going to be a problem."

Improvements for the team should come in both the blocking and hitting games. Experience should be the name of the blocking game while the hitting will improve thanks to the trio of Betsy Ramirez, JoAnn Elwell and Noelle Zientara.

Zientara, an A-10 All Tournament pick and member of the 1987 gold medal Junior Olympic team, said she is looking forward to this season.

"So far I think I'm doing OK," Zientara said. "Teamwise, I'm trying to be a leader and get the team together because there are a lot of new freshmen and we try to talk a lot."

One of those freshmen expected to make an early impact is Tammy Cairl, a 6-0 middle blocker from Michigan. Cairl, a 1988 Amateur Athletic Union All-American, held school records in just about every offensive category and led Potterville High School to a state championship. "I think we'll do fairly well," Zientara said. "All the returning starters from last year are going to start this year with the exception of the middle blocker and I think Cairl is a good middle blocker. I think she hits really well and she just needs to have a lot of confidence in herself and to just play."

Outside hitter Heidi Pilecki also earned herself plenty of praise. The junior started last year when Ramirez contracted mononucleosis and contributed 159 kills and 245 digs.

"I feel that Pilecki is doing a real good job," Rose said. "She's working hard and her attitude is really positive. I think she is providing a real good role model for some of the younger players right now."

And that's exactly what the squad needs right now -- leadership.

"I think the biggest area we have to improve in is the communication area," Rose said. "I didn't feel last year's group had good leadership from the players themselves and I didn't feel that the energy and intensity level was where it should be and I think this year's group recognizes that and is trying to readjust some of the goals and directions that we've had."

The players concur.

"Yeah, definitely," Zientara said about needing team leaders. "I think that's really important, especially this year when there are a lot of freshmen."

The team's ultimate leader, however, is Rose. But he said his accolades aren't as important as his players.

"I don't really think it means anything," Rose said. "I'm more concerned about the fact that some of our players have had the opportunity to get recognized. We've had the Player of the Year for the last six years and we've had the MVP of the conference the last six years and that's a little more important to me than Coach of the Year."