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PARKVILLE, Mo. - Park University men's volleyball must adapt in 2008. Not to the loss of key parts of a program or personnel losses, but to playing with an enlarged target on its back after a 2007 campaign that saw the Pirates go 30-3, including a national runner-up finish in the NAIA Invitational and a MAMVIC championship.

"Last year, we gained a bunch of experience, and in the process won an awful lot of matches," said Cory Frederick, who begins his fourth season at the helm of the Pirate program. "We were really young last year and a lot of our starters were new, but we matured throughout the year and especially once we got to California.

"The downside to a season like that one, though, is that we're going to get everyone's best shot this season. Our opponents are out to beat us like never before, and we have to be mentally prepared to play night-in, night-out."

Experience is on the Pirates' side heading into 2008, with 10 returning players on the roster, including at least one returnee in the top three of each major statistical category from the 2007 season.

"This year's team will go much deeper into the bench than last season," Frederick said. "One example being at outside hitter, where we have at least four players that could start on any given night. That kind of competition will bring a great atmosphere to our program and in practice, forcing our guys to compete and improve daily.

"Every position has that type of competition between quality players, and that will help our team by the end of the year."

Filling the balance of the roster will be six newcomers to the Park roster, and in all, the Pirate roster will feature players from six countries, including the United States, Brazil, Venezuela, Serbia, Montenegro and Tanzania.

Of the Americans on the squad, two are from California, two from Missouri and one each from the American Southwest - Texas and Arizona.

"Team chemistry can always be difficult with so many cultural and language barriers early on. We have to find a way to survive it and even incorporate it into our team," Frederick said. "The good thing is there's one common thread for everyone on this roster. We're here to play get an education and play volleyball, and to win at both. When we come to the court, differences are quickly out the door."

2008 SCHEDULE BITES EARLY

With many things to worry about heading into a young season, quality of competition is not one for Frederick or his Pirates to be concerned with in 2008.

The season starts off with a bang on Jan. 19, as the Pirates travel for a two-match swing in the Hawkeye State, opening the season that Saturday with St. Ambrose University, who enters the year ranked No. 6 in the NAIA Men's Volleyball Top 10 Coaches Poll.

Park ends the two-match Iowa swing Jan. 20 at Clarke College, just before taking the show to the St. Louis area for four matches in the Lindenwood Invitational Jan. 25-26. The Pirates do not play the hosting Lions in the tournament, but the two will meet in Parkville Jan. 29 for Park's season opener, which also welcomes Lindenwood to the MAMVIC West.

"With Lindenwood in our conference this year, it's going to make it tough for us to win a fourth-straight conference title," Frederick said. "They've been a strong competitor in the MAMVIC East for the last couple of years, but it's those kinds of matches that you want to develop a strong character to carry into the national tournament. Pressure matches do that for you."

The Pirates open February with three matches on the road, taking on Graceland, Missouri Valley and NCAA Division II Quincy Feb. 5, 8 and 9, and the Pirates return home Feb. 12 to take on Missouri Baptist to tune-up for what could be the most competitive string of matches in Park volleyball history Feb. 15-21.

The Pirates go on the road Feb. 15 to take on Moody Bible, and the next day, Park travels to IPFW, who begins the year ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball after finishing as the NCAA national runner-up a season ago.

"We have the honor of traveling to IPFW and playing in their facility in February," Frederick said. "This will be a true test to the level of this team. We can play with them, but to beat them we will have to play a perfect and flawless match. The atmosphere in Fort Wayne is incredible, and they are an excellent team. This is the competition we truly need to step our game up another notch."

After IPFW, the Pirates come back to Breckon Sports Center Feb. 21, taking on NAIA No. 1 California Baptist at 7 p.m. That match precedes the four-match Homewood Suites Invitational, which takes place Feb. 22-23 at Breckon.

Conference rival Johnson and Wales comes to Breckon Sports Center Feb. 29 and March 1 for back-to-back MAMVIC West matches, and the Pirates will be looking to avenge their only loss to a team not named Cal Baptist, as JWU upset Park last season in Colorado.

Park plays three more matches on the road, including a March 8 tilt at Lindenwood before returning home for the final two in the regular season, closing the year against Missouri Valley and Graceland. The Pirates go to Marshall, Mo., April 4-5 for the MAMVIC championship tournament.

PIRATES TO HOST NAIA MEN'S VOLLEYBALL NATIONAL INVITATIONAL

Park University will close out the 2008 season at home April 17-19, as the Pirates host the 2008 NAIA Men's Volleyball National Invitational Tournament at Breckon Sports Center.

Park finished runner-up in the 2007 tournament, hosted by California Baptist, who has crowned itself national champions six times in the Invitational Tournament.

The Pirates won two pool play matches over Missouri Valley and Missouri Baptist in last season's tournament before notching a semifinal victory over Lindenwood, 3-1.

Park managed only 22 points in the opening game of the championship match, falling to Cal Baptist 3-0 (30-22, 30-23, 30-21) on the Lancers' home floor.

"Having the national tournament here is a huge travel advantage for us," Frederick said. "It makes things easier when you sleep in your own bed and really prepare for the tournament without the distractions of being on the road.

"To me, though, the most important reason for hosting is for our fans. I'm thrilled that everyone who supports our program will be able to see some of the highest level of volleyball come to the Midwest. We have some of the best fans around. They're respectful to both teams and do a great job of representing this University. We get to provide this opportunity to them for two years, and hopefully that home court advantage will pay off for us."

All matches will be played in the west dome of Breckon Sports Center April 17-19.

PIRATES NO. 2 IN NAIA PRESEASON COACHES POLL

With the 2008 Park University men's volleyball season set to serve for the first time Saturday, the Pirates enter the season ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Men's Volleyball preseason Top 10 coaches poll, released Monday by the NAIA's men's volleyball coaches.

The Pirates are No. 2 behind defending national champion California Baptist University (1-1), who has already split a pair of matches on the year, dropping the season-opener to UC-Irvine 3-0 before taking down UC-Santa Cruz in Jan. 5's home opener.

Park suffered two of its three losses last season to the Lancers, falling once in the regular season by a 3-0 count and again in the national invite championship match in Riverside, Calif. The Pirates also dropped a conference match last season at Johnson & Wales.

Park opened the season with five-straight wins before the loss to CBU, followed by a six-match streak that preceded the JWU loss. Park then went on a tear, winning its next 24 contests, including two matches in the MAMVIC West tournament and another three in the National Invitational.

BREAKING DOWN THE 2008 ROSTER WITH COACH FREDERICK

"Erick Albuquerque will look to make an immediate impact this season.  He can play the offensive side of the ball very well, but his strengths are his passing and defense.  His ball control and leadership will be immediately noticed."

"Nikola Bursac will move into the setter role for this season after playing the last two years as a hitter and defensive specialist.  He will have some tough competition with JP (DaSilva), but his skills are good and I look forward to seeing him compete for this position."

"JP DaSilva is returning for his senior year.  He brings experience and strong technical skills which are a must for our setter.  Hopefully he can finish his career with a strong showing in 2008."

"Fray Arteaga is a new player from Venezuela.  He's been playing on the beach for the past couple of years so he needs some work adjusting the indoor game.  He is a great jumper and I am certain that he will be a valuable part of our offense early in the season.  Once he gets his timing down with our setters, he'll be a strong player."

"Brett Ferguson has done nothing but get better every year.  He will be competing with Nebojsa Janovic at the libero position as he looks to be the defensive fire we need to win this."

"Nebojsa Janovic will be returning this year after many post-season awards in 2007.  We hope to have him head up our defense and serve receive systems and expect great things from him in 2008.  Not only is he a leader on the court, but his academics are very strong as he earned a 4.0 last semester."

"Dragomir Katanic is our top returning middle for 2008.  Last season was his first year starting for us and he did a wonderful job in the middle posting high hitter percentages in almost every match he played.  We look for him to continue his consistent play this year."

"Caio Maciel started at middle in the 2007 season.  This year he has some strong competition, but he's handling it well and improving every day.  He is one of our stronger blockers and we look for him to help solidify our front row play at the net."

"Dane Malone is new to our roster this year.  He is a strong athlete with great potential.  He is gaining experience everyday at practice and I hope to see him earning court time this year to game some additional match experience."

"Joe Mponzi is back for his 3^rd season with the Pirates.  This guy can just flat out jump and we look forward to seeing him flying through the air this season as an outside hitter.  At 6'2 he's not the tallest on our team, but he makes up for it with his leaping abilities."

"Bosko Novovic is fighting for a starting spot at the middle position.  He has worked hard in the off-season getting stronger every day.  He has a very high arm swing and is a strong offensive threat.  He has to battle this year since our two starting middles are both coming back, but he's close on the heels of both of them."

"Jacob Penolio is a true freshman from San Deigo.  His strengths lie in his technical training.  He's not the flashiest player, but he does everything correctly and gets the job done.  I expect Jacob to receive significant court time this season, but he's going to have to compete with an excellent group of outside hitters."

"Lance Pulliam has transferred from Newman University where he has started the past three years.  This is a welcome addition to our roster as he has experience in the conference with all of our opponents.  This is an excellent addition to our roster and he will be earning court time immediately."

"Ryan Stafford is returning for his senior season.  Ryan is a strong offensive player and great blocker.  We look for him to carry a high hitting percentage and lead our offensive attack from the right side." 

"Henry Uribe is back at the outside hitter position.  In his first two seasons, he has made tremendous improvements on the court improving his hitting percentage and passing techniques.  He's quick and can hit from multiple positions on the court making him a threat at all times."

"Jordan Winters is in his first season here at Park.  He can play multiple positions, but we will mainly focus on using him as an opposite and possibly a future setter.  He's got size and good hands.  With just a season of experience here at Park, Jordan will become a strong player for our program."