The Warriors return just one starter off last year's squad in junior libero R.J. Roth. Third-year head coach Dustin Wood will be without the services of two starters who will miss the year due to a medical redshirt - senior Jon Daley, a two-time EIVA second team middle hitter, and sophomore outside hitter Eli Porr.

ESU ended 2007 with a 3-0 loss to George Mason in the quarterfinals following a five-game victory over NJIT. To improve on last year's 11-13 overall record, Wood will count on three returning letterwinners to provide leadership for a young team that brings eight new players into the fold this season.

Senior John Post and freshman Dennis Hibbs will fill the setter's role after the departure of four-year starter Adam Holdredge, who averaged 13.4 assists per game as a senior. Post has been the backup for three years, while Hibbs will also see time as he continues to learn ESU's offensive system.

Despite the loss of Daley and senior Keith Eckenrode, the middle should still be a strength for the Warriors, where 6-7 junior Kyle Duffy and 6-8 freshman Brian Geslak are expected to form a productive tandem. Duffy enters his first year as a starter but has outstanding potential, and Geslak comes to ESU with great credentials following a summer in camp with the A2 Junior National Team for USA Volleyball.

At outside hitter, junior Jesse Landis saw action in half of the Warriors' games and hit .246 for the season, and Don Hanna and Michael Semeraro will play as freshmen.

At opposite, sophomore Chris Holden, a transfer from SUNY-New Paltz, will be one of ESU's go-to players for offensive production. Freshman Alex Dubbs is expected to contribute in his first season.

Roth led the EIVA and was second in the country with 3.5 digs per game as a sophomore and will continue to control the defense in his third year as a starter. Senior Michael Oswald played in 30 games a year ago and will see time as a defensive and serving specialist, and Drew Dvorsky is in his first year with the Warriors as a libero.