Following the program鈥檚 best-ever finish last season, there is plenty of optimism surrounding the Trinity Western Spartans women鈥檚 volleyball team heading into the Canada West regular season this weekend.

The sunny disposition comes from a good returning core which gained some valuable experience from last year鈥檚 bronze medal finish at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport national championships.

鈥淲e have a lot of experience at some key positions and then good tools around them,鈥� said coach Ryan Hofer.

鈥�(And) they are extremely motivated because they want a shot at the gold medal.鈥�

The Spartans did lose a trio of key pieces, but that is off-set by some valuable additions, including transfer student Kelci French, the 2009 national rookie of the year.

Hofer also expects outside hitter Amy Leschied and middle Alicia Perrin to play big roles.

The team does enter the season battling some injuries, but 鈥渋f healthy, the pieces are in place,鈥� the coach said.

鈥淚t is just going to be a process of getting better by the end,鈥� Hofer said.

鈥淲e may not have it at the beginning, but we will have it at the end.鈥�

The Spartans begin the season ranked 10th in the country.