After enjoying an underdog fairy-tale season a year ago when the Lewis-Clark State College women’s volleyball team surprised nearly everyone, the Warriors will find this season to be quite different.

Last season, LCSC was picked to finish sixth in the Frontier Conference’s preseason poll, but wound up winning the conference regular season and tournament titles, as well as the Region I tourney, to earn the No. 9 seed at the NAIA national tournament.

With most of its roster still intact, plus the influx of seven solid newcomers, the Warriors won’t sneak up on anybody this year. In fact, they were tabbed the favorite in the FC coaches’ preseason poll and also are expected to be in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll.

That’s quite a change, but second-year coach Jen Greeny is excited to see how the team responds.

“Coming into the season, it’s definitely easier the second year as far as knowing what to expect from the conference and the program,” Greeny said. “But at the same time, expectations are different than they were last year.”

The Warriors lost three key performers from a year ago, but spearheaded by junior Anile Clemente, a third-team NAIA All-American last season, and senior Julie Maciboba, an honorable mention Region I performer, the Warriors have plenty of talent returning. Because of LCSC’s strong mix of returning players and newcomers, the Warriors are expected to make a run at the program’s ninth trip to nationals.

“I think pressure is good,” Greeny said. “You always have concerns and with us it’s the seven newcomers, without a doubt. Although all are great athletes, there’s always a concern on how they will do at this level.”

Of the seven new players, six are freshmen and only one is smaller than 5-foot-11. With 10 players on the roster at least that height, this could be the tallest team in program history.

The Warriors will use a 6-2 offense and return both setters from a year ago in junior Lisa Davis and sophomore Kim Fong, who is recovering nicely from a torn ACL in last year’s conference tournament. Freshman Abby Bruya is expected to be in the mix and another freshman, Josi Lyman, can play both setter and right-side hitter.

Senior Austyn Lewis, who was the team’s most improved player during the spring, and junior Dana Christiansen, who was one of four Warriors to earn conference Player of the Week honors, are among the right-side hitters on the squad, while Maciboba and junior Dani Barrett, who led the NWAACC in blocks, join freshman Caitlin Barschig as the team’s middle hitters.

Clemente, who received numerous conference and regional honors last season, leads the group of outside hitters, which also includes freshmen Lauryn Herrick, Hannah Nyrop, and Sadie Lazzarini.

Senior Lindsay Scott, who was a three-time winner of the conference’s Libero of the Week last year, joins sophomore Katie Hinrichs and senior Whitney Bond as the defensive specialists on the team.

“I think it’s important for everyone to understand their roles and know that they may change throughout the year,” Greeny said. “I feel everyone has to contribute so they really need to be ready at any time.”

Greeny expects the conference to be even tougher this season. She’s also excited that LCSC will play host to the conference tournament on Nov. 14-15.