CEDAR FALLS - Upon first glance, it would appear that the University of Northern Iowa volleyball program will enter its 2009 season looking to rebuild.

Redshirt or true freshmen account for more than half of the team's 15-person roster, and the Panthers can claim just one senior.

Rebuilding, however, isn't a word you'll find in Bobbi Petersen's vocabulary as she begins her 10th season as UNI's head coach Friday at the Texas A&M Invitational. Her team earned the program's first at-large NCAA Tournament berth last season and is pursuing its fourth consecutive NCAA postseason appearance.

"This program has so much tradition that kids coming in have that expectation," Petersen said. "Like I said, we're young, but it doesn't matter. They don't want to hear that, they don't want to talk about that, we really want to make the NCAA Tournament."

In order achieve its goal, UNI will look toward a core of six players with experience from a year ago to elevate their games. Of that group, the continued development of setter Bre Payton and middle blocker Michelle Burow may be the key to UNI's ultimate success. The two sophomores are coming of their first full season of collegiate volleyball and bring the most experience to their respective positions.

Payton shared time with sophomore Jessa Benson last season and started in 25 of 34 matches. Dissatisfied with her role, Benson transferred to the nearby University of Wisconsin, leaving Payton as the lone setter throughout the spring.

"Even though it was a little up-and-down with me and Jessa going back and forth, I think this year I know my role and I know what I need to do to get the job done," Payton said.

True freshman Molly Turk is expected to compete with Payton for playing time, but the left-handed sophomore's experience gives her an early edge.

"She's a lefty so I look for her to be one of the most offensive setters we've ever had at UNI," Petersen said of Payton. "She's got a rip of a jump serve that we're trying to get more consistent."

After the graduation of the team's top two hitters from last season, Payton has been hard at work forming bonds with UNI's newest weapons. It may come as little surprise that she's most comfortable setting her classmate Burow.

"I think that we probably hook up the best as middle, setter," Payton said. "I like setting Michelle because she likes going fast."

Burow made major strides last fall and finished fifth in the conference in blocks per set. During the offseason, the Lincoln, Neb. native committed herself to staying in Cedar Falls. She's added five inches to her vertical and recently touched a height of 10 feet, 3 inches.

"Now that I know I can jump that high I want to be able to do that out on the court," Burow said. "I feel like I've kind of been holding back so far with that."

At outside hitter, junior Beth Discher is coming off her first full season of collegiate volleyball and will look to alleviate the pressure on lone senior Shannon Aschoff.

"I've grown a lot as a player throughout the spring and the summer so I'm really excited about this year," Discher said.

Her coach also has high expectations.

"I predict a breakout year for Beth," Petersen said. "She has come a long ways since last year."

Defensively, UNI's back row may be its strength. Junior libero Ellie Blankenship enters her third year as a starter and has broken the program's digs record each of the past two seasons.

"Ellie for sure has a strong chance to be Libero of the Year this year in the conference, and also has the potential for some All-Region and All-American recognition," Petersen said. "She's that good."

Junior defensive specialist Chelsea Saunders also returns after tying for second in the conference in aces per set.

While the 2008 Panthers were a physical squad that presented a challenge at the net, Payton believes fans will see a different look from this year's team.

"I think this year the big thing is speed," she said. "We're not big by any means height-wise, but I think we're going to be quick in transition, quick to defense, quick everything. It's going to be exciting and different to what we're used to."

2009 Schedule

Aug. 28 - at Texas A&M Invitational (Virginia 12:30 p.m., Iona 4 p.m)

Aug. 29 - at Texas A&M, 12:30 p.m.

Sept. 2 - Iowa State, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 - at Middle Tennessee Bash (Northern Illinois 2 p.m., Ohio 7 p.m.)

Sept. 5 - at Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 - Western Illinois, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 - at Bowling Green Tournament (Robert Morris), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 - at Bowling Green Tournament (Bowling Green 11:30 a.m., UW-Green Bay 3:30 p.m.)

Sept. 18 - at Drake, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 - at Creighton, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 - Southern Illinois, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 - Evansville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 - at Bradley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 - at Indiana State, 6 p.m.

Oct. 10 - at Illinois State, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 - Wichita State, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 - Missouri State, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 - at Evansville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 - at Southern Illinois, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28 - at South Dakota State, 6 p.m.

Oct. 31 - Bradley, 7 p.m.

Nov. 6 - Illinois State, 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 - Indiana State, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 13 - at Missouri State, 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 - at Wichita State, 7 p.m.

Nov. 20 - Creighton, 7 p.m.

Nov. 21 - Drake, 7 p.m.

Nov. 26-28 - at MVC Tournament (Omaha), TBA