Determination. That could be the one word to describe the University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball program for the 2014 campaign. A season ago, despite having the youngest team in the region, the Pacers were most likely just one win away during the regular season – or one in the postseason – from earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

This season, head coach Glenn Cox returns virtually all of his student-athletes from 2013 and the squad, coming off a stellar spring season, has its sight set on not only making a run at the NCAA Tournament this season, but becoming the best in the region.

The schedule is daunting for any team in the nation, but it should prove a valuable asset to the Pacers should they navigate it successfully. Right away, the team opens its season at the Newberry Invitational. There, the squad's first three matches come against 2013 NCAA Tournament competitors. The following weekend, Cox's group hosts the USC Aiken Invitational where it will take on three more teams that earned NCAA Tournament berths a season ago. Including the conference schedule, the Pacers have 10 matches against teams that made the postseason a season ago, including nine against teams that made the NCAA Tournament in the Southeast Region (with the other match coming against Palm Beach Atlantic).

"We play a great schedule," Cox said. "We have a very nice array of teams and a solid mix of teams from the region to compete against. USC Aiken faces a lot of ranked teams – both regionally and nationally – and the first two weekends of the season are extremely big for us.

"The conference portion of the schedule is always tough as the Peach Belt is strong from the top to the bottom. The league is one of the best in the nation and the toughest in the region."

Despite having just two seniors and three juniors on the squad, the Pacers have an abundance of experience returning to the line-up that should bode favorably against the tough slate.

SETTERS

Cox returns two dynamic setters in senior Sheila Walsh and sophomore Amanda Bologna. Walsh's consistency and intelligence over the past three seasons give her an advantage over the opposition while Bologna proved last year she is also one of the top setters in the league. The duo combined for a stellar 2013 season and should once again be great for the program. Cox added a local talent to the mix in Lauren Howard.

"Sheila will play a major leadership role on the team," Cox said. "She is one of the most mature players in the game and we are excited to see what she will bring to the table as a senior after coming off co-MVP honors in 2013.

"Amanda led the team in assists as a freshman and possesses great leadership abilities," Cox added. "She brings a different dynamic to the team and will continue to improve this season.

"We added another strong all-around student-athlete in Lauren," Cox said. "She'll push the upperclassmen because she brings a lot of talent to the court.

LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS

A season ago, if one looked at the combined numbers of the three returners of Monica Cardona, Danielle Mercer and Katie Toman, one would say the numbers reflect a first-team all-conference selection. However, all three shared playing time and were instrumental in the success of the team.

"All three play major roles for us," Cox said. "All three are extremely talented and all could start at any school. Each started matches last season. The foundation of our success came from defense and passing and the three carried our team to the PBC finals in 2013. I'm looking forward to having a group that young playing that well.

Cardona is the oldest of the three, but similar to the sophomores, the 2013 campaign was her first with the program.

"Monica has some of the best footwork in the game and has an extremely fast first step," Cox said.

"Danielle is a proven passer who makes the right decisions," Cox added. "She had a strong first year and earned PBC Defensive Specialist of the Week.

"Katie puts herself in the right position when she's on the court," Cox said. "She reads the opponents extremely well and knows exactly where to be."

MIDDLE BLOCKER

Although the squad lost Endea Ellison to graduation, the Pacers return key cogs Aly Johnson and Hannah Tierney to the fold in 2014. USC Aiken added Alicia Hines as an incoming freshman, which should bolster the line-up. Cox also added Jennifer Law, who could make a big impact. Johnson and Tierney have started for the bulk of their time with the program and bring back a wealth of experience.

"Hannah was second in the PBC in blocks and was co-MVP in 2013," Cox said. "She will be taking on a major leadership role and gets to the ball extremely quick.

"Aly is another solid all-around player," Cox said. "She is fundamentally sound and is very teachable. Aly picks up information quickly and produces on the court.

"Alicia is an athletically gifted middle blocker," Cox stated. "There are some pretty amazing things she can do. Alicia has great quickness and explodes with her jumping ability.

"Jennifer is an extremely smart player," Cox said. "She is a tough competitor that brings a lot to the team every single day."

OUTSIDE HITTER

One of the positions on the squad that improved greatly over the course of the season was at outside hitter and that was due to the fact the position bolstered a group of rookies at the start of 2013. This season, the dynamic duo of Shawn Hotson and Taylor Stratton could showcase two of the best in the conference while the Pacers add redshirt-freshman Brittany Faulkner and newcomer Julia Forster the to line-up.

"Taylor led the team in kills and was one of the top outside hitters in the PBC as a freshman," Cox said. "She continued working hard in the off-season to improve. Taylor is extremely gifted and is just a raw athlete.

"Shawn suffered an injury midway through the season but performed great when healthy," Cox added. "She is one of the best all-around players on the team and has the ability to play all the way around.

"Brittany is coming off a redshirt year and has shown significant improvements," Cox said. "She is extremely athletic and is in great shape.

"Julia is one of the biggest players at her position in the PBC," Cox stated. "She comes from a top club program and is a six-rotation student-athlete with Division I size."

RIGHT SIDE

Another position that will be greatly improved in 2014 is at right side. In 2013, Ashley Diedrich was recovering from an injury while Ashley Lind missed the first half of the campaign due to an injury. Now healthy, the two could shine as both are in the best shape of their lives.

"Ashley Diedrich is in the best shape of her career," Cox mentioned. "Her confidence level is high and she swings authoritatively. As good as Ashley was early in her career, this season could define who she is by playing at such a high level.

"Ashley Lind hits one of the heaviest balls in the league," Cox stated. "She spent a lot of her freshman year injured but had a great conference tournament and spring season. There, we were able to see a big-time weapon."

Should the USC Aiken team stay healthy in 2014, the Pacers will not only be looking for its first postseason title since 2007, but could be among the favorites to host the NCAA Southeast Regional. Although the team has just two seniors and five upperclassmen, the squad's determination to reach the postseason is inevitable and 2014 could be a defining year for the program.