The 2002 Wittenberg Volleyball Tigers had much to celebrate.

After an offseason in which a coaching change occurred and three of the finest players in school history graduated, the Wittenberg University volleyball program is entering a year of optimistic transition. Head Coach Paco Labrador plans to sustain Wittenberg's tradition of excellence with fresh ideas and a formidable roster headlined by 2002 All-Americans Monica McDonald and Sarah Yuskewich.

The Tigers haven't lost a North Coast Athletic Conference match since 1997, and with four starters back in the starting lineup, the preseason conference poll predictably went in Wittenberg's direction again. Nationally, the Tigers open the 2003 campaign ranked No. 11 a year after advancing to the NCAA Division III national quarterfinals for the first time in school history and equaling the school record for wins in a season with 34.

McDonald is a big-time outside hitter, the team's and conference's leader in kills in each of her first two collegiate seasons. Yuskewich split the setting duties in 2001 before emerging as a force a year ago, setting an NCAA Division III record for assists in a season (2,125) and earning NCAC Player of the Year and first-team All-America honors. They are joined again in the starting lineup by fellow junior Emilie Schmid, who is one of the finest defensive players around, and outside hitterLindsay Nelson, another powerful outside hitter who came on strong as the 2002 season went on.

Plenty of talented athletes are ready to step into greater roles this year. Michelle Emming and Jennifer Emming, who have three letters each to their credit, andBeth Conover are defensive-oriented seniors who all figure to be important team leaders as seniors. Brooke Evans and Kristin Fox are both solid middle hitters who saw extensive action behind third-team All-America selection Tiffany Keller last year. And Miami University transfer Linda Young figures to have a big impact on the lineup as well, perhaps cushioning the blow of losing all-conference outside hitters Teresa Murphy and Brittany Baume.

The Tigers play one of the most challenging schedules in the nation again in 2003, beginning with the first of three power-packed home invitationals on Aug. 29-30. The Tigers will take on at least six of the top 10 teams in the preseason poll during the regular season, including defending national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater and Washington University, which opens 2003 at No. 1 after losing just twice a year ago, including once in the regular season to Wittenberg.