In her previous three seasons as head coach of the Lewis-Clark State College women’s volleyball program, Jen Greeny faced numerous questions about what kind of team the Warriors would be.

Her first year, she inherited a program with players who had never enjoyed a winning season. The second and third years the questions changed from talent to more along the line of how the teams will respond with targets on their backs.

Each year, the Warriors answered the questions by winning or sharing the Frontier Conference regular season title and claiming three FC Tournament championships, which resulted in automatic berths to the NAIA National Tournament.

This year, the questions are slightly different. How do you replace a three-time All-American in Anile Clemente, a first-team all-conference performer in Dani Barrett, and two other steady contributors whose names (Lisa Davis and Dana Christiansen) are in the LC record book? How will team chemistry be when eight of the 17 players are in their first year of the program? And how will the team respond early in the season when it plays seven consecutive road matches, including two against NAIA-ranked teams from last year?

“What is fun about a new year is that you don’t really know what to expect,” says Greeny, who has compiled an 81-21 mark in her three seasons. “We always have high expectations and on paper we look really good.

“We know what people outside the program are saying. ‘How do you replace Anile?’ The challenge is to everyone else on the team. Everyone is going to have to step up their game. We always talk about having a well-rounded team.”

The Warriors certainly have the well-rounded look. Returners Lauryn Herrick, a second-team all-conference performer, and Jenika Bird Jeppson, who led the team in blocks last year, return as do Demi Dlouhy and Kelli Tikker to form a solid attack up front. In the back row, defensive specialist Katie Hinrichs is a returning starter and is joined by part-time starter Kim Fong, a setter, and Kaylee Rector, who is back after an injury.

Adding to this is a solid 2010 recruiting class that includes two junior college All Americans. With this combination, it’s easy to see why the Warriors again should be battling for another FC title.

Herrick, who has started most of her career, and Tikker, a transfer from Gonzaga, lead the outside hitting position. Herrick was second on the team in both kills and service aces last season, while Tikker was one of the most versatile players a year ago, evident by 10 kills and 18 digs in a match.

“Lauryn has two great years under her belt and we expect the same or even more from her this year,” Greeny says. “I believe Kelli is ready to go. She had a great spring for us and has taken a big leadership role this summer.”

Also on the outside is Rebecca Stafford, a sophomore from Boise who is walking on the team after a year at Edmonds Community College. Freshman Kelsey Williams was the Montana Gatorade Player of the Year for high school volleyball after a strong career at Helena High. Greeny says she’s excited to see how both perform this season.

Jeppson, who was married over the summer, anchors a strong middle blocking group that includes Nicole Graybeal, who was the MVP of the NWAACC Tournament and selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America First Team.

“The one thing we are looking for from Jennika this year is a little bit more consistency,” Greeny says. “She had some great matches for us last year and is a phenomenal blocker. We need her to become more of a go-to player offensively.”

Greeny says Graybeal transferred to LC for the spring semester last year and was able to work out with the team during spring drills. Greeny says during scrimmages against area NCAA Division I teams, Graybeal was a force for the team.

Also back is sophomore Liz Clark, who Greeny calls the most improved player from a year ago. Clark could also see time as a right-side hitter.

The right-side also is strong with senior Demi Dlouhy returning. She earned the FC’s Player of the Week award last year after a solid performance in a road win over Westminster.

“She played a new position last year and is now definitely more comfortable with it,” Greeny says. “She’s a great offensive threat. We just need her to be more consistent.”

Joining her is Deddiy Alaimaleata, a junior transfer from New Mexico Military. She earned second-team junior college All-America honors and was her region’s MVP.

“She’s extremely athletic and just has a lot of raw talent,” Greeny says. “She can also put up a huge block so we are excited just to see what she can do.”

Another athletic transfer is Brianne Brown, who spent the last two seasons on the track team at Washington State University after a great volleyball and track career at Shadle Park High in Spokane. Greeny says she’s excited to see what Brown, a left-handed hitter, can do on the court.

The Warriors have four players designated as defensive specialists/liberos, led by Hinrichs, who last year set a school record with 41 digs in a match, had 482 digs overall, and was third on the team in service aces.

“Katie’s a leader,” Greeny says. “She’s excited and ready to go for her senior season. I think she has really improved her passing and defense during the spring and we’re excited to see what Katie will do this year.”

Rector saw significant playing time a year ago before being sidelined by a broken arm. Freshmen Marlee Zeman and Chelsea Shears both had strong high school and club play in California, which gives them plenty of experience for their first year in the program.

The setter position is led by Fong, who like Hinrichs, is in her fourth year of the program.

“Kim just always surprises you with the things she does,” Greeny says. “She has progressed and taken on a leadership role with the setting.”

Also returning is sophomore Alyssa Wold, who made big strides during spring workouts. Also in the mix is freshman Naomi Hernandez, who is LCSC’s third recruit from California for this season.

So does this mean LC is again the team to beat in the conference?

“I hope not,” Greeny said, laughing. “I don’t know. I would love to see the bull’s eye on someone else, but since we won the conference tourney, we are probably in that conversation. That’s fine because the upperclassmen are used to it.

“The key for us is to just take one week at a time, one match at a time.”