The Marshalltown Community College women's volleyball team enters the 2013 season boasting a fresh group of faces. Head coach Chris Brees and the Tigers come into the year with nine freshman to go along with three veterans.

The incoming freshmen bring a completely different outlook to the Tigers' program from last year's team. "This year is all about size for us," said Brees. The Tigers' roster contains five players standing at least 5'11", including four newcomers. "Having more size from a variety of players will allow us to be a bigger threat offensively," Brees continued. "However, the size also makes us a much more dynamic defensive team as well."

While the freshman deliver a change of scenery, the Tigers return three quality members from the 2012 team. Ashley Salgado (Ottumwa, IA/Ottumwa) and Alyssa Whitmore (Legrand, IA/East Marshall) provide a solid backcourt for the Tigers while Katelyn Yauslin (Cedar Rapids, IA/Alburnett) offers size up front.

"This year Ashley will be much more dynamic for us thanks to more size and blocking in the front." Salgado played in all 40 matches for MCC last year, leading the team with 796 digs and 63 service aces.

"Alyssa will be a consistent defensive specialist for us. When Alyssa is on the court, very few balls hit the floor." Whitmore ranked second on the team in digs behind Salgado in 2012, finishing with 364.

Yauslin brings both experience and height to the frontcourt for the Tigers. Brees praised Yauslin's athletic ability on the court. "Katelyn has to be our offensive leader this year. She has a natural swing that will give us a solid threat up front."

Brees, entering his second season at the helm of the MCC program, is high on his first true recruiting class. "We have the opportunity to throw some different looks at our opponents this year while having consistent contributions no matter who is on the court."

The 2012 team contained one of the most productive players in program history in Mady Van Metre who ranked second in the nation with 4.41 kills per game. Brees has called upon Reeba Box (Liscomb, IA/BCLUW) to replace Van Metre in the middle. "Reeba is an explosive player. She is a defensively sound player and will provide an immediate impact for us."

"Meghann Cole (Des Moines, IA/West Des Moines Valley) and Miranda Smith (Albion, IA/Marshalltown) will give us a different aspect in the middle. Both players are very well established. It will be nice to have true middles and I believe teams will be surprised at our offense this year."

The setter position will also have a new look as well. Sam Hinrichs (Ankeny, IA/Ankeny) and Emily Anker (Earlham IA/Earlham) both bring size to the position that will aid the Tigers offensive attack.

The Tigers look to be a competitive team in the always-tough Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC). Brees described the league as "one of the premier Division II conferences in the country."

Along with the strong conference schedule, the Tigers' nonconference calendar will also feature challenging tests, including matchups against four teams that are ranked in the preseason NJCAA rankings. "Every weekend will be competitive," said Brees. "In order for our program to make a turn, we have to bulk up our schedule and play elite teams that will challenge our girls."

Brees signaled to the first weekend of the year as the team's first true test. The Tigers will travel to Nebraska for the RKP Invite at Southeast Community College. "This is a great tournament to open with. I believe we match up very well with all three of our opponents. This tournament will prepare us for our conference slate."

After nearly three weeks of preseason camp, the Tigers are anxious to hit the court for regular season action. "We have a great group of girls that have been working extremely hard in the offseason. That hard work will pay off and good things will come of it. To say the least, we are ready to play."

The Tigers open up the 2013 season against McCook Community College at the RKP Invite at 11:00 am on August 24.