On paper, the prospects were questionable. A 12-27 record the previous season, no seniors on the roster, a challenging schedule. Undaunted, the 1989 Mary Washington College volleyball team responded with possibly the most remarkable turnaround in school athletic history, going 26-11 and advancing to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament.

MWC welcomes back a number of talented returnees from that contingent - including an All-Region player which won the Gettysburg Tournament and finished second in the MWC Invitational and fourth in the prestigious Western Maryland Invitational. Fourth-year head coach Dee Conway looks for a continued consistency from the Eagles, which never lost more than two matches in succession last season.

Consistency starts with leadership, and co-captains Deanna Peschka (Sr./Dale City, VA) and Cyndee Tector Or./Paul Smiths, NY) provide stability and presence up front Tector finished second in kills with 177 last year, while Peschka was fourth with 103 and second in service aces with 45. Junior Chris McKenna Or./Northport, NY) is also a two-year veteran who finished third in both kills (127) and aces (42).

Senior Rebecca Jukoski (Alexandria, VA) finished first in solo blocks (26) last year, third in aces (38) and fifth in kills (78) and should improve with increased playing time, according to Conway. But the dominant player on the front line may again be Tamalyn Reed (So./Roanoke, VA), who emerged as a top offensive threat, leading MWC in kills (217) and aces (47) as a freshman en-route to All-Region honors. Reed combines exceptional timing with controlled intensity to maximize her potential. According to Conway, Reed and Tector form a potent one-two combination with kills and blocks.

This duo will likely be set up by sophomore setter Wendy Orr (Meadowview, VA), a capable performer who turned in numerous strong performances off the bench last season, and looks to step into the starting lineup this fall. These veterans will need to help nurture a talented freshman class, according to Conway. Because it is a veteran team, Conway will look to upgrade the offense, which flourished last year because of an improved service game and better communication among the players.

"Last season, our serving improved tremendously from the previous year," said Conway, "and we're looking to continue utilizing the serve as a primary offensive weapon. In the set-up offense, we'll try to be more diverse, using more quick sets to keep the opponent offbalance in their blocking schemes." Conway added that while veterans are counted upon for leadership and experience, freshmen have the capability to challenge for significant playing time, as Reed did in 1989 and Tector and McKenna did the previous season.

"Freshmen can make contributions right away, as Tamalyn proved last year and. several players did the previous year," said Conway. "I'm looking for intense players who want to improve, and those players will earn spots on our team. " The "toughest schedule in recent years" - according to Conway - includes several competitive tournaments: the Messiah Tournament Sept 7-8, the second MWC Invitational Sept 22 and the Western Maryland Invitational Oct 19-20. The Eagles open their campaign Sept 1 at home against Division I Virginia Commonwealth (7 p.m.).