Coach Jackie Nunez said despite the fact that this year’s team has more freshmen than returning players, the young team has “real talent” and much “potential.”

At volleyball media day, Nunez said the team has never brought in this many athletes in one year, but that the “upgrade” in talent and ability was needed.

“We needed an influx of talent and that’s what we sought,” she said. And that is what the team got.

Julie McGrath, Heidi Rogers and Colleen Henican all are returning players who competed at the 1995 NCAA Tournament and look to start this season.

Nunez said the starting six have gelled and work well together.

With so many new players, the team had to adjust.

The schedule saw a change in order to make the transitional season easier.

Nunez said the September schedule is lighter than it has been in years past, allowing the team a chance to “build confidence” and get some wins under its belt before the conference season begins.

Nunez designed the schedule in 1994, with the anticipation of the shift in the team’s experience.

She said she does not need to play nationally ranked teams in the September off-season because the team “sees enough of them out of the Big 12.”

Nunez said four of the freshmen are on scholarship, others are on academic scholarship and some are walk-ons.

Freshmen Jennifer Collins, from Arapahoe, Neb.; Kelly Cizek, from Omaha, Neb.; Sara Walters, from Waterloo; and Stacy Nicks, of Spencer should see significant playing time.

Collins said she is excited about the season and that it was “real challenging to get everybody going,” but the team is now on the right track.

Collins said she expects to have a good season. She said much of the team’s success is hinged on the its character.

“A lot depends on your heart and your attitude,” Collins said. “You know, if you have a good attitude and you go out there wanting to win, anything can happen.”

She said the upperclassmen have provided leadership for the newcomers.

Nunez agreed that the leadership the older players have exhibited has helped set the tone for the season.

Henican, a junior who totaled 252 digs last year, said the number of freshman on the team has turned out to be an asset.

“They have impressed everyone,” she said. “They came in great. They earned a lot of respect by coming in shape and ready to play.”

Henican said the team had a good spring season in which it beat Michigan State, who is now ranked sixth nationally.

She said that win helped the team realize its ability.

“It kind of proved to use that we’ve got a lot of potential, ” she said.

Henican said the time has come for the Cyclones to prove themselves.

“We’re all itching to get out on the court,” she said.

Also new to the Cyclone squad is assistant coach Yvette Moorehead, who comes to ISU after three seasons as assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky.

The team opens its season at the Creighton Tournament this weekend.