How's this for a recipe for successfi

Coach Sam Atoa and the 2006 UVSC volleyball team have a good idea of the ingedients need to repeat last year's 18-1 record.

Their recipe goes something like this:

Take eight players from a team that won the 2005 Division I Independent Championship

Add three players who transferred to UVSC

Add a handful of redshirt players who are experienced and could possibly start

Cap it off with three freshman who can step up and be a surprise

"I am very encouraged with the number of girls we have this season," Atoa said. "Especially this past spring. We had a full team which was the first time in a long time that that has happened here."

Having a full team meant having time to incorporate the new girls into the team and create the bond that is needed for success.

"We have several new players this year," Atoa said, "but the experience of the transfers will really help to fill holes that we lost last year."

The 2005 squad finished the season as one of the hottest teams in the nation. The Wolverines won their last eight games in a row, only two of those in the friendly confines of the Activities Center on the campus of UVSC, on their way to defeating South Dakota State in the championship game of the Dvision I Independent Tournament.

The Wolverines have 11 upperclassmen (four seniors and seven juniors) and are looking for them to lead by example and give a spark to the entire team in a sport that momentum is so important.

"The returning girls are more confident," Atoa said. "Whether it is a junior returning as a senior, a freshman coming back, their confidence level is high and I think that it is very good."

One of those who is returning with more confidence is Camie Manwill, who led the Wolverines in kills (375), and kills per game average (3.35) as a freshman when it was all said and done in 2005.

"We didn't know what to expect from Camie," Atoa said. "She got the starting nod and never looked back. She did her best and her best was great.

"This year we are looking for her to continue her progression and development this season."

Seniors Lacee Koelliker, Krystal Taylor, Stephanie McFarland and Brooke Adams will be looked to as leaders to help include everyone and motivate others on the court.

"Whether they are captains or not, I expect their experience and leadership will be crucial this season," Atoa said.

This season the Wolverines will play the first eight matches of the season on the road before hosting the LaQuinta Invitational on Sept. 8-10 at UVSC.

"I don't look at being on the road as a negative thing," Atoa said. "It is being away from the surroundings that you are most comfortable with. Sometimes is can be a positive thing that can bring a team together and develop the relationships and friendship that make the season successful."

The schedule is a very difficult one this season with the Wolverines traveling to take on Arizona State early in the year, Utah and hosting BYU at home. UVSC will finish the season will four consecutive home games before the D-I Independent Championships.

"Any time you play any of the Utah schools they are all highlights," Atoa said. "It will be fun to play against Weber State, Utah and BYU this year. They for sure will be highlights as well as the Independent Championships."

Things look bright for the UVSC volleyball team in 2006. With a dash of momentum, this Wolverine team could be hoisting the trophy again in November.

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This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C1.