With six returning players from last season, including three starters, the Williston State College Lady Tetons will be expecting to make some noise this volleyball season.

However, the Lady Tetons are coming off a 2-3 showing at the Central Wyoming tournament last weekend.

Head coach Lindsey Graue, who wasn't in attendance at the tournament, said that wasn't the way she wanted her team to open the season.

"I got to watch the film," she said. "It was kind of ugly. We know where we need to work."

Communication was among the areas that the Williston State coach sited as an area of weakness. "We were too quiet," she said. "We weren't communicating like we should."

Graue also said blocking and mental toughness are also areas that need to improve.

"Just being prepared for anything," she said. "I saw a lot of lackadaisical (things) going on."

The Lady Tetons also have pretty of things going for them entering the season.

"We are an outstanding hitting team," Graue said. "We've got hitters that can fire away. We've worked on our passing and it has shown. We are a well-rounded athletic team."

Ashley Senft, Brenna Coffey and Chelsea Hicks are the three returning starters for Williston State this season. Chelsea Hanson, Lauren Reeve and Kelsey Miller are also returning after playing key roles last season.

Freshmen Kim Gilder, of Hamilton, Mont., and Shari Hewson, of Dickinson, are two newcomers that are expected to make an immediate contribution this season.

Hewson played on the outside in high school, but will be moved to the middle as a member of the Lady Tetons.

Williston State enters the season off a 17-18 season year ago. But it's something Graue doesn't like to reflect on.

"I don't like telling our record," she said. "Because it doesn't show the teams that we played and the improvement we made."

The Lady Tetons have their sights on three basic goals this season.

"We want to make it to the national tournament," the Lady Teton coach said. "We want to win our conference and make progress each time out."

The Lady Tetons will return to action this weekend with a pair of matches in Wyoming against junior colleges from Powell and Sheridan.

"They're both Division I (junior college)," Graue said. "Very athletic and very good. We will have to be prepared in every aspect."

The Lady Tetons had been scheduled to play in Glendive, Mont., against Dawson Community College on Tuesday night. However, that match was rescheduled for next week due to a scheduling conflict.