By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

Improved teamwork. Better all-around talent. Increased competitiveness and athleticism. More offensive capabilities and stronger defense. Frequent preseason team-building activities to bring the squad closer.

The list of positive differences between the 2009 Fort Hays State University volleyball team and this year's young, freshman-laden squad is long.

"There is a lot of energy," junior outside hitter Tracie Hileman said. "Maybe last year, that's what we lacked, but there is a lot of competitiveness in these girls. That's what we need. We need fire and we have a lot of fire this year."

"I think our chemistry is good," freshman outside hitter Camilie Hubert said. "With (14) freshmen, the upperclassmen, they really show us what to do. We really idol them as freshmen."

This weekend, the Tigers will have their first chance to see if the revamped roster produces more victories than last year's 7-27 record, including a last place 3-17 mark in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. FHSU, picked last in the preseason MIAA coaches' poll, begins the second year of the Kurt Kohler era with two non-conference matches apiece Friday and Saturday at the Texas A&M-Commerce Tournament in Commerce, Texas.

"I think we can blow our preseason ranking right out of the water," Hileman said.

Fort Hays will likely start its three returning starters, senior setter Whitney Liggett, Hileman and sophomore outside hitter MaKayla McPhail. Liggett, the team's lone senior and a four-year starter, could end the season as the second player in school history with 1,000 digs and 1,000 assists. She'll share setting duties with freshman Hillery Sibole.

"It's kind of crazy because I don't feel old, but then I think about it and 'Geez, they are only 18, I am old,' " Liggett said with a smile. "It's OK. They called me 'Mom' (during camp). I like that. I'll take care of them."

Hileman started at outside hitter as a freshman before she moved to libero last year out of necessity when starting libero Katelyn Lapham quit the team shortly before the season opened. This fall, Hileman moved back to the outside; Kohler said she solidified a starting spot after the team's annual scrimmage Saturday.

Kohler will open with McPhail (2.11 kills/game, third on the squad in '09) at the other outside spot, but freshmen Madison Schwartz and Camilie Hubert will see time this weekend. Hubert, a former Class 3A Kansas Player of the Year at Garden Plain, had knee surgery in July 2009 and missed her senior volleyball season, but is healthy this fall and playing well.

"I hate to start a freshman if I don't have to on the opening weekend," Kohler said. "It's nice to be able to see the pace of the game from the sideline and ease them in."

The middles, a problem in 2009, will open the season a depleted group. Freshmen Ashley Evans and Jenna Ulrich are unavailable for the first weekend because of injury and personal reasons, respectively. Freshman Samantha Ledy holds down one of the starting roles, while junior Courtney Kroeger and freshman Kylie Shufflebarger, who could play right side, are competing for the other spot.

"(Sam) is just going to be the type of kid who just plays very consistent through," Kohler said. "She is going to make some mistakes. We know that, but she also does some very good things."

Sophomore Maddy Mall, the fourth returning player and a Thomas More Prep-Marian graduate, will play defensive specialist. Three freshmen competed at libero during camp, but Kohler said Kirsten Chamberlain moved to the forefront after Saturday's scrimmage and is the lead candidate to start.

"See this weekend how we well we have progressed compared to other teams," Kohler said.