Junior Tristen McNeal spikes the ball past UAFS players in Monday’s scrimmage.

The challenge ahead for the ’05 volleyball team will be to finally break the 10-year losing season streak. The start of this season will be a big test.

“As far as regional rankings go,” first-year Head Coach Steven McRoberts said, “this is very important.”

	Coach Steven McRoberts takes over a program eager for a winning season.

The Sugar Bears first weekend will be against the fourth through seventh ranked MIAA teams. That may not sound like much, but the top three teams in the conference are ranked second, seventh and 18th in the preseason poll.

“Number four in that conference will be no slouch,” McRoberts said. “A smart first year coach would have probably picked an easier first weekend. I’m expecting us to do well.

“My philosophy is to use the early games to prepare you for the conference. I’d rather take lumps early than in the conference.”