The University of Tennessee women's volleyball team will begin its 2008 season this weekend, and this year, they aren't taking anything for granted.

Returning from what head coach Rob Patrick calls an "uncharacteristically bad UT volleyball season" in 2007, the Lady Vols will attempt to regain their status as a powerful force in the Southeastern Conference. Last year's squad finished the season with a record of 11-18 while struggling with injuries to several key players.

"We struggled with some inconsistent play last year," Patrick said. "But we feel we've addressed that issue through our recruiting and training in the offseason."

One priority during the offseason was working to fill the setter position. After former Lady Vols setter Jena Berg transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Patrick and his coaching staff had to find a replacement who would bring the talent and experience the team needed.

They found one in junior Michaela Hanakova, a 5'8 native of Brno, Czech Republic. Hanakova spent the previous two seasons playing for Salt Lake City Community College where she was selected as a 2007 NJCAA All-American.

"Tennessee volleyball has always been known for its defense."coach Rob Patrick 

Between Hanakova and 5'10 freshman Kelsey Mahoney, Patrick feels the Lady Vols' setting game is in "very capable hands." Although Mahoney lacks the collegiate experience of Hanakova, the coaching staff is confident that her talent and leadership skills make her an extremely valuable addition to the team.

"When we were recruiting, we targeted Kelsey mainly because of her leadership abilities," he said.  "It helps that she set on the [2006] Youth National Team, too."

Setting, however, does not appear to be the only strong position on the squad.  With the return of juniors Chloe Goldman, the UT single-season digs record holder, and Jaye Lloyd, the Lady Vols' defense will put up a strong fight in the backcourt.

"Tennessee volleyball has always been known for its defense," Patrick said. "We built our team based on defense and ball control."

Although the Lady Vols are typically praised for their emphasis on passing, the team's high concentration of middle blockers, including returning senior Mindy Flynn, may pull the attention closer to the net. The versatility of these hitters, however, is what makes them such a threat.

"We are going to be making some big plays at the net this year," Patrick said. "And many of our hitters can move to the outside, middle or right side."

6'2 sophomore Nikki Fowler is one of the hitters the team will look for big things from. Fowler was named to the 2008 preseason All-SEC team earlier this month. The poll is the first in the history of the conference, and Fowler is the only underclassman of the nine athletes selected to this team.

"I was really surprised," Fowler said. "It was such a huge honor."

Fowler was chosen to the All-SEC squad because of her impressive performance last season when she led the Lady Vols with 370 kills and 449 points. Fowler also became the first SEC Freshman of the Year in Tennessee history. Even with all of these awards, Fowler is always working to improve.

"I don't feel like the awards are putting pressure on me," she said. "But they do motivate me to work harder and get me excited to play."

The volleyball players, however, hope they are not the only ones excited about this season. With the help of the relocation of their home court from Stokely Athletics Center to Thompson-Boling Arena, the Lady Vols hope to expand their fan base this season.

Patrick believes the new arena, namely, the air conditioner, will encourage students to attend more games than they did at the notoriously hot and stuffy Stokely.

"Moving to Thompson-Boling is great news for our fans," Patrick said. "Now, they can enjoy volleyball without worrying about anything else."

Fowler also hopes to draw more attendants to games by the time the home opener rolls around on Sept. 12.

"We're working together as a team and having fun every time we step onto the court," Fowler said. "Hopefully, our fans will see that and want to come."

Before the volleyball squad makes its debut at its new home in Thompson-Boling, however, the team will have to face its first challenges of the season at the Marquette Kick-Off Classic tournament in Milwaukee, Wis., and at the Pioneer Classic tournament in Denver, Colo.

The Lady Vols will play the first game of the Milwaukee tournament Friday, Aug. 29 against Chattanooga. Saturday, Aug. 30, UT will face Houston and Marquette. They will travel to Denver on Friday, Sept. 5.

"These tournaments will be a great test for us," Patrick said. "By the time we leave Denver, we should have a pretty good understanding of where we are as a team."

Finding out where they stand as a team, therefore, will be an integral part of preparing for the upcoming season. With only three returning seniors, the Lady Vols are a young team. However, with Florida, Kentucky and Georgia all boasting an abundance of underclassmen, they are not alone.

"One huge change in the SEC this year is the fact that a lot of teams' best players have graduated," Patrick said. "It'll be interesting to see whose young players can adapt the best."

By the time the UT women's volleyball team begins its SEC schedule, they hope to have repaired the problems they encountered last season.

"I'm looking forward to every single game," Patrick said. "I really appreciate the opportunity to be able to play against anybody, full force, and to put a team out there with a chance at beating any team we come across."