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RADFORD, Va. – After nearly three weeks of preseason workouts and practice, second-year head coach Marci Jenkins and her Radford Highlanders will begin their 2009 volleyball campaign Friday morning in the Duquesne / Robert Morris Tournament in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Following its 11 a.m. match with Duquesne, Radford will take on Howard at 3 p.m. on day one before concluding the season-opening event with matches against Robert Morris (11 a.m.) and Loyola (3 p.m.) Saturday.

Along with the addition of eight talented newcomers, the Highlanders return eight letterwinners (five starters) from last year's club, including 2008 Big South All-Freshman performer Megan McWhorter (Newport News, Va. / Peninsula Catholic).

SEASON PREVIEW -- "New" is Key Word for Volleyball in 2009
After the first session of the first day of practice, it's hard to assess what a team's strengths, weaknesses, and potential may be.

For Radford head volleyball coach Marci Jenkins, it will be a learning process all season long.

Jenkins, who began her second preseason with the Highlanders yesterday, is trying not only to mold a roster that has eight new players, but she and her team begin their first season back inside the Dedmon Center, a facility that neither these rookies nor Jenkins have competed in.

“It feels a lot more like home this year,” Jenkins says, comparing the experience to the Highlanders stint in Peters Hall last season. “The kids didn't have a locker room last year, they had to spend their time going back and forth to Peters. It definitely is a good thing to have everything you need in one place.”

For Jenkins, even being able to walk 200 feet from her office to the court is an advantage.

“It makes my life a lot easier,” she says.

The Highlanders also have two courts at their disposal in the spacious Dedmon Center, something they'll need for a roster of 16 players and to break in a group of eight newcomers, including seven true freshmen.

What this group will bring to the table is still largely uncertain at the Division I level, but the Jenkins-inspired sea change of Radford volleyball has been an effort to bring in a well-rounded, competitive group.

“I was looking for a competitive team,” says Jenkins. “I wanted to find a group that had a competitive drive more than anything else. Every year, you're looking to improve, and we're trying to make headway with this group.”

The 2009 version of the Highlanders have 16 possibilities for six spots on the court at any given time. And Jenkins says those six spots are wide open to anyone.

“We have competition at each position this year,” Jenkins says. “That's the most exciting thing about this year and it will be interesting to see how everyone responds.”

And the much-talked about young group of Highlanders should figure in to the mix.

“Talent-wise, we've made some strides, but it's still going to be a different ballgame for the kids who played at high-level high school or club program,” Jenkins says. “Our success will depend on how they make the adjustment.”

One of the adjustments these individuals will be making is playing far away from their hometowns. Of the eight newcomers, only two are from Virginia (Bailey Banks – Fairfax; Jamie Bartz – Virginia Beach) and some are from as far away as Nevada (Nicole Keller – Carson City).

For the group as whole, playing at a high level will be the ultimate adjustment. All signs, however, point to a successful group at the high school and club levels that knows how to compete and win. Setter Desiree Aramburu (Chicago, Ill. / Mother McAuley) helped her high school team to a No. 17 ranking, nationally. Outside hitter Emily Hayes (Bartlett, Ill. / Bartlett) was part of a 21-12 high school team and third-place club finish at JVDA Nationals. Middle blocker Mariah Nussbaum (Dayton, Ohio / Chaminade Julienne) led her club team to a second place showing at AAU Nationals.

Despite the promise of the newcomers, Jenkins recognizes that there's no substitution for experience in Division I.

“You can never underestimate the value of an upperclassman,” says Jenkins. “The experience level is so important to have, especially at this level.”

Among returning players, McWhorter stood out last season with a pair of Big South Freshman of the Week nods. Sophomore Katelyn Meeks (Richmond, Va. / Mills Godwin), who moved to the libero position late last season, responded with a Big South Libero of the Week honor in November.

In addition to having a permanent place to call home and grow as a program, Jenkins and the Highlanders will have the opportunity to make strides in game action at the Dedmon Center. The home schedule opens with the Radford University Tournament Sept. 4-5, and includes two non-conference matches (Sept. 8 – JMU, Oct. 13 – N.C. Central). This year's home slate also includes the 2009 Big South Tournament, Nov. 19-21.

“That was tough last season, being on the road as much as we were,” Jenkins says. “It will be good for the kids to get used to playing on their home court.”

Having a home court advantage could grow on this team in a hurry. Not only does the Dedmon Center have expanded practice space and locker rooms, but it's also home to the recently-upgraded weight room and Academic Performance Center, putting everything the Highlanders need under one roof.

In addition, the Highlanders' haunt includes a wooden surface, unlike the synthetic court from previous years. Additional plans for the future call for an upgrade of the surface as well, which was the former basketball floor of the Dedmon Center.

“Next year, we'll have the floor re-finished, and done the way we want it,” Jenkins says. “It's important to make it the way we want it, and make it unique to our program.”

While improvements off the court are still on the way, Jenkins and the Highlanders have plenty of new things on their plates and much to adapt to in 2009, a challenge she welcomes.

“I'm excited for what we could do. It's exciting to be in Dedmon, and to coach a blend of newer and experienced players.

"We'll see where it goes from here.”