"Honestly, I think it's a big motivator for us," Miron said. "A lot of our games went to five matches and we were on the 13-15 (wrong) side a lot. A lot of our losses came down to a few points. I think we're focused and ready. I think they realize our record may not have reflected our talent."

Not only will the Crusaders be motivated to avenge last season's heartbreakers, they will be armed with a bevy of talented and experienced returners. Senior middle hitter Ashley Shields--an honorable mention all-conference selection last season, junior middle hitter Abby Nauman, senior libero Heather Jansen and junior setter Hannah Grow each give Clarke a veteran presence on the court. All four played in every one of Clarke's 37 matches in 2009.

Shields, a Harvard, Ill., native, garnered first team all-conference in 2008 and has paced the team in kills in all three of her seasons as a Crusader. Miron marvels at her fierceness as a competitor.

"I think Ashley has really grown as a verbal motivator on the court," Miron said. "I think she has exceedingly high expectations for herself. She's really happy and proud that she's been a statistical leader for us the past few years, but she always wants more. She wants the ball set to her every time. She's not satisfied unless she's the best. She always wants to improve."

Nauman teams with Shields to give Clarke a pair of powerful attackers. Nauman's 340 kills placed second on the team to Shields' 423, while Grow led the team with 778 set assists. Another year of improvement from such holdovers provides plenty of reason for optimism.

Clarke should also receive a boost from incoming transfer Meghan Harrison, who played in 12 matches in 2009 at Division-I Louisiana-Lafayette. Harrison, a middle hitter from Pewaukee, Wis., played two seasons with the Ragin' Cajuns before deciding to come closer to home. Her signing was a major coup for Miron.

"With her experience and ability, I think she'll have an immediate and positive impact," Miron said. "She's skilled at blocking and attacking and she's quick to the ball. She'll be able to move the ball around for us. She's very versatile."

Harrison headlines a group of 10 newcomers. Incoming freshmen Megan Bunyer (5-9, OH, Shannon, Ill.), Katie Reynolds (5-9, OH, Potosi, Wis.), Betsy Nauman (5-9, DS/L, Dubuque), Kristina McKenna (5-10, OH, Bettendorf, Ia.) and Melissa Dever (5-10, OH, Maquoketa, Ia.) all figure to contribute in 2010.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders lose only one performer that played significant time in 2009. Outside hitter Keri West, a junior with 242 kills last season, will not return to the team due to injury. However, Miron and his team are excited about the blend of experience and new talent.

If the Crusaders can increase their kills per game, hitting efficiency and service efficiency as the team hopes, they should easily improve upon last year's 1-7 conference record. While Miron believes that six of the nine Midwest Collegiate Conference members have the potential to win the conference, he likes his team's chances to compete.

"I think the team wants to see a huge jump in our conference placement, and we have the power to do that," Miron said.

The Crusaders open their season with a match Sept. 1 at the University of Dubuque at 7:30 p.m. Their first conference match will be held Sept. 8 at Ashford University.