To return his team to its familiar perch at or near the top of the national rankings, Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose stresses that additional competitive fire and physical play are required from the Nittany Lions during the coming season.

"We don't really know who will step up in competitive situations," Rose said. "We need to find who will step up, and who will shy away."

As the Lions attempt to rebound from a season that lacked a regional final appearance for the first time since 1989, the roster has undergone quite an upheaval. Gone is All-American Katie Schumacher, and there will be no fewer than six new faces as Penn State prepares to open its 2002 season Friday night in the Penn State Invitational.

Rose hopes the fresh blood will lead to a more competitive, physical group.

"I like the new kids, for sure," Rose said. "Many are going to play significant roles and their success will be based on if they can learn while still maintaining the enthusiasm and excitement they come in with."

Rose sees improved toughness from last season, a season in which the team lost an NCAA Tournament game at Rec Hall for the first time ever.

"I'm not sure I'd say it's my most competitive team, but I think that it's a team that's a little more cognizant of each other's efforts than some of the teams the past couple years," Rose said. "I think the potential is there, but it still is pretty early."

Included among the new players are five true freshmen and sophomore transfer outside hitter Jennifer Amobi.

Amobi was a Conference USA All-Freshman team member at Marquette last season, and Rose was pleased to be able to get her to Happy Valley this year after having no scholarships available to offer her for 2001-02.

"I've known her since she was in high school," Rose said. "She's a physical kid, and we need more physical people."

Amobi's youth and talent will, in effect, add to a stellar recruiting class that Rose said many are calling one of the best in the nation.

"I hope that proves to be true," Rose said. "A great deal of the success of this program is going to be based on the contributions of the incoming class."

Honorable mention All-Big Ten outside hitter Mishka Levy likes what she sees from the new crop herself.

"They're all good, that's a good thing," Levy said. "That's a positive, but more importantly, they all work hard."

The freshman likely to make the most immediate impact is 5-foot-11 setter Samantha Tortorello, a four-time All-American and standout AAU player.

"Sam was the best setter in the country," Rose said. "I think she's going to have a bright future here. She has a good feel for the game."

Tortorello is currently engaged in a heated battle for the starting setter position with incumbent junior Jess Hayden. Rose said Hayden currently has the upper hand, but cautions not to rule the freshman out simply because of lack of experience.

"She comes from a volleyball-specific setting family, and she is a good blocker," Rose said. "She has an awful lot of playing experience and knowledge. I like her feel for the game."

Rose said freshman setter Emily Guman has a feel for what it takes to add some competitive fire to the team.

"She is like a breath of fresh air," Rose said. "Now if I can only teach her to relax. Maybe when classes start she will have something else to stress over."

Amy Morris, an outside hitter and Indiana high school player of the year, will add size and physicality to the Lions.

"She's a big woman, she plays hard, and she loves to hit the floor," Rose said.

Outside hitter Kaleena Walters is a freshman of much smaller size, but no less potential for success.

"I thought she was the most complete volleyball player in Pennsylvania," Rose said of the 5-foot-8 native of Mt. Lebanon. "Not the biggest player in Pennsylvania, but she's got great skills. I think we will find opportunity for her to contribute this year and next couple years."

Middle hitter Kim Holm might have to wait a bit longer to contribute to the Lions. The Illinois native finds herself behind Robyn Guokas and Cara Smith on the depth chart. But the winner of three consecutive AAU gold medals has the talent to help Penn State, and she may get her chance as Guokas and others suffer from nagging injuries.

"She needs to get more physical," Rose said. "And she needs to get some more experience."

With time, the experience will come for the freshmen, but Smith can already see benefits to all the new faces.

"We have better chemistry as a team," Smith said. "The freshmen are really fitting in well."

Rose is confident the new faces will allow this year's team to provide the physical play and toughness he felt the 2001-02 edition lacked.

"Always a lot of excitement as you start a new season," Rose said. "You have an opportunity to see positive strides to where their game was last year, and hopefully improve in areas that you identified as being weaknesses."