IRVINE, CA --- In his second year at the helm of one of the NAIA's top volleyball programs, head coach Kyle Kvasnicka begins the 2010 campaign with a blend of 9 returners and 12 incoming freshmen.

The 21-player roster begins the year ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll, and will look to continue the success of a program that has finished in the NAIA semifinals or better in each of the past four seasons.

"The key to success this year is going to depend upon our young kids coming in and stepping into big roles right away," Kvasnicka said. "We don't look at these athletes as freshmen, but rather, as Concordia volleyball players. We're not going to let our youthfulness be an excuse this year. It's a matter of getting the young players acclimated to our program."

Among the dozen Eagles who will don a collegiate uniform for the first time, at least half are expected to see substantial playing time on a team that went 30-8 a year ago.

Freshman Mackenzie Gromek and Madison Ekis-who are both listed at 6-feet-could see plenty of court time at middle blocker and outside hitter, respectively, as they work into the system that is highlighted by NAIA All-American second-team honoree Amber Ridens.

Ridens dished out 377 kills and 70 aces as a 2009 junior, and was named to the Tachikara-NAIA All-Tournament Team, and she figures to conclude her standout career with another standout season as a senior.

One key component returns as well in senior setter Renee Horton, who finished 2009 with 511 assists as part of a two-setter system. Horton is in her second season as an Eagle, and could be the team's primary weapon at setter to begin the 2010 campaign.

"One player we're going to really have to rely on is Renee," Kvasnicka said. "She's one of the best setters in the country, and we're going to depend on her leadership and decision-making on the court. We're fortunate that we have someone that we can trust at a key position like setter."

A couple of Horton's favorite targets a year ago also return in sophomores Brooke Marino and Amy Van Buren. Marino made an immediate impact as a right-side hitter as a 2009 freshman, tallying 297 kills, while Van Buren contributed 147 total blocks in her collegiate debut.

Kvasnicka hopes that the immediate success of Marino and Van Buren will serve as a foreshadowing of this year's freshman class, as well as a built-in leadership core that will hold the team together over the next three seasons.

"Brooke and Amy have both really stepped up their game, so we expect them to provide a big impact for us," Kvasnicka said. "Amy did a great job of blocking for us last year, but we're looking for her to take on more of a hitting role this year. She's worked hard in the offseason and she's in great shape to play on the outside. With Brooke, we're looking for her to play more of an all-around role than she did last year. We're confident that she can step into that role, because she's a great all-around player."

Freshman middle blocker Briana Hughes, listed at 6-foot-2, figures to earn playing time after earning a pair of all-region honors as a prep in Tucson, Ariz., while fellow freshmen Alex Bozoian and Jilanne Doom-the 2009 South Dakota Athlete of the Year-figure to play a main role in the Eagles' rotation.

Senior outside hitter Alexandra Barsotti, who saw time in 83 games as a transfer junior, will also factor into the lineup as a serving specialist after notching 32 aces a year ago.

"We're definitely going to be playing a lot of people this year," Kvasnicka said. "We have a lot of kids that can step in on a number of positions. We won't be in a position where we're relying on six players only, so that's going to be a big help."

Kvasnicka has his biggest challenge in terms of replacing graduated seniors at the libero position, which Chelsea Scott occupied for three years as a starter.

The three players who could be in line to fill the position are sophomore Te'anna Robinson, freshmen Kara Vincitorio and Mackenzie Beveridge. Kvasnicka and his coaching staff have been impressed with Robinson's quickness, Vincitorio's accurate touch and Beveridge's stability, so either member of the trio could be on the court at any point of the year.

"We expect Te'anna to take the experience she gained last year, and especially at nationals, to take that experience and grow into a solid libero for us," Kvasnicka said. "She's a tremendous athlete, probably the best on the team, so we think she can have a big impact at that position. It's a matter of refining a couple of parts of her game, which she's worked hard to improve upon in the offseason."

Concordia, which plays seven teams throughout the year that earned a position in the Top 25 ranking, starts its season this Friday and Saturday (Aug. 27-28) at the Point Loma Nazarene Seaside Volleyball Tournament.