The Lions are looking to bounce back this year after a disappointing 2013 campaign in which the team went 8-25 (4-14).

Head volleyball coach Stephanie Radecki attributed the less-than-stellar regular season and conference record to inconsistent play, she said.

“Our record didn’t reflect the talent we had on the team last season,” Radecki said. “We weren’t very consistent last year and that’s always going to lead to an outcome you’re not looking for.”

Despite their record, the Lions made the GSC tournament and played well before West Georgia eliminated them in the semi-finals.

Radecki said her plan to combat inconsistency in 2014 is to emphasize taking the season game-by-game.

“This year I think it’s really important for us to back up a step and take each match individually,” she said.

This offseason Radecki and her staff added 10 new players to the program, with seven returning from last year’s squad. The new players include seven freshmen and three transfers.

Radecki is hopeful that some, if not all, of the new girls on the team will be able to make an immediate impact.

“You always have an idea about the talent of the players coming in,” Radecki said. “You never really know what you have until you get them in the gym at our speed and our level.”

The Lions were left a void in the setter position after player Hope Rayburn graduated. Both setters on the team are new to UNA. Junior Andrea De Leon is a transfer from Georgia State and freshman Abby Winkler is from Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

“With 17 girls on the team everyone is fighting for playing time, and we all want it really badly,” Winkler said. “I love the competition and I know that the team will be stronger because of it.”

The Lions will be relying on four seniors to lead the team this season. Shantel Frederick, Joanna Calhoun, Leanna Lloyd, and 2013 All-GSC Second Team player Megan Gorey all have a part to play in guiding the young volleyball team.

“We’ll be looking toward our seniors, more so leadership-wise,” Radecki said. “Leadership is one of the biggest factors in whether or not you’re successful, and I think those four girls are going to step up and be good leaders.”

Radecki said the high expectations for the team have not changed.

“With the history of the program, our expectations are always to compete for a conference championship,” Radecki said. “The one thing I’ve always been confident in our teams doing is we’re going to battle to win the conference championship every year.”

The Lions will start the season in Evansville, Indiana at the Southern Indiana Dunn Hospitality Invitational Sept. 5-6. UNA’s first home game will be Sept. 9 against Christian Brothers.