The Black Hills State University volleyball team was back on the court for its first action since its impressive run to the NAIA national tournament last fall. The Yellow Jackets took on South Dakota School of Mines and Dickinson State this weekend in a pair of scrimmages for a team that has to replace just one player off last year's conference championship team.

Like most coaches, BHSU head volleyball coach Jhett Albers saw a mixture of things he liked and things that must be ironed out before the start of the season.

"I liked how we were very business like and focused," Albers said. "You can tell there are still goals they want to achieve, but you could see there was still some of that unity from last year with the older players."

The Yellow Jackets return several key players including senior Kristin Engle, who was a first-team all-Dakota Athletic Conference selection, the DAC player of the year, first-team all-region and second-team NAIA All-American in 2008. Engle is joined by fellow seniors Mandy Brumfield, Carina Sweet and Kayla Haines who will all play key roles in 2009. Brumfield is a returning first-team all-DAC and all-region honorable mention performer as a setter. Maggie O'Neill, a first-team all-conference and region junior returns to provide strength at the net.

"That leadership is really important," Albers said. "They know they have done some good things over the last three years and it sets the tone for the underclassmen. We know it is going to take all of us and not just the seniors to gel together as a group to be successful."

Among the returners, Sweet will be making the biggest transition for the team that compiled a 26-8 record last year as she goes from a hitting position to the libero. That move will open up some playing time for a few of the younger players on the team.

"Right now sophomore Brianna Gradishar and freshman Kylee Lamb are fighting for the position, and it may end up being a combination of the two," Albers said.

Albers knows if the Yellow Jackets are to repeat their trip to the national tournament it will not be easy. Jamestown College, which finished tied for the conference regular season title with BHSU, will be strong and will challenge the Yellow Jackets for conference supremacy.

"The difference between us and Jamestown last year was just inches," Albers said. "Every team in the conference is improved because it looks like everyone had a good recruiting season."

The Hardrockers, who took on the Yellow Jackets in Spearfish on Friday during the scrimmage, return just one senior and are under the guidance of first-year head coach Tiffany McCampbell.

Katherine Hanson returns as the middle hitter for the Hardrockers while sophomore Madisen Lane is looking to have a breakout season after a solid freshman campaign.

"Katherine Hanson is a heck of a player," Albers said after seeing her play on Friday. "She is a senior who plays aggressive and with a lot of fire, but there are a lot of new faces so you never know what to expect when you are playing them."

Mines will be breaking in several new freshmen this season as they look to improve on last year's 12-16 mark.

BHSU opens up its season in Montana with the Carroll College/University of Great Falls Classic on Aug. 20, while Mines is at the DAC/Frontier Crossover in Montana on Aug. 28.