WICHITA, Kan. — With a new coach and plenty of new faces in place, the Newman volleyball team has a new set of challenges to contend with in 2018, but that has not diminished the goals it puts in place.

New coach Jose Lugo has been at the helm for just one month, but he sees plenty of potential throughout the Jets' roster. With just 11 players — including five freshmen — everyone on the team has spent plenty of time on the court in preparation for the season.

"That was the early challenge in the preseason, getting those systems dialed in," Lugo said. "We havent' had much time together and have five freshmen in the gym, trying to get them dialed in. We've seen a lot of good stuff that's really encouraging to see for us moving forward, so we're excited about that potential."

Of the six returners, middle blocker Yemima Buana and outside hitter Hailey Braddy were starters a year ago, while setter Reagen Roth became a starter by the second half of the season and Yareli Ruelas appeared in 53 sets in the back row.

That Newman squad a season ago slipped to 11-20 overall, but it wouldn't be a huge jump to return to 2015 and 2016 form, when the Jets put together a combined 46 wins.

It's the final season of Heartland Conference play for Newman before the league dissolves and the Jets move to begin competing in the MIAA, but one last push to return to the Heartland tournament doesn't seem like a stretch.

"We were picked to finish fifth in the conference [preseason poll], and we'd like to break into that top four and go to the conference tournament and hopefully make some noise," Lugo said. "We don't have a junior class, so it's a really young team, but there's so much talent and they're so willing to learn, I think we can get there."

The Jets open the 2018 season Tuesday night at home, facing Northwestern Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. at Fugate Gymnasium.

SEASON BREAKDOWN (2017 statistics in parentheses)

Setter

Returners: Reagen Roth (So., 31 matches, 6.20 assists/s, 0.23 aces/s, 1.63 digs/s)

Newcomers: None

Coach Speak: "We have some experience coming back with Reagen. She played a lot last year as a freshman. I'm demanding of my setters, so I'll expect a lot out of her, and she's coming along quite nicely. She's been doing a really good job in the preseason, and we're looking forward to letting her run the show."

Liberos

Returners: Yareli Ruelas (So., 22 matches, 1.64 digs/s)

Newcomers: Kenlee Martin (Fr., Douglass HS); Mackenzie Anderson (Fr., Shawnee Mission South HS)

Coach Speak: "The libs has been a really fun position to watch. They're really battling. All three are eager to learn and get better every day. The two freshmen are really solid, and we've got a sophomore who has experience. We're really young in that position, but we're excited to see where they're going to go."

Middles

Returners: Yemima Buana (Sr., 31 matches, 1.67 kills/s, 0.68 blocks/s)

Newcomers: Jada Key (Fr., Millard West HS); Kennadi Myers (Fr., Olathe South HS)

Coach Speak: "We've got three middles, and get to start with the senior leadership of Mima, who's been great in the gym. Then we have the two freshmen. I think Jada may eventually end up moving to the opposite because she's so dynamic. We're looking forward to what we can use her for, because I think she's going to be really impactful for our team."

Pin Hitters

Returners: Hailey Braddy (Sr., 26 matches, 2.14 kills/s, 0.13 aces/s, 2.06 digs/s, 0.22 blocks/s); Sophia Helsing (So., 16 matches, 0.53 kills/s, 0.17 aces/s, 0.22 blocks/s); Cassie Pauls (Sr., 5 matches)

Newcomers: Trinity Conley (Fr., Heights HS)

Coach Speak: "The pins are an interesting one, because they're all comfortable on the left side. Sophia is one that I feel could transition to the right side, but I think we'll get the most out of rest on the left. They're battling pretty hard. Hailey is doing a fantastic job, just good leadership out of her. Trinity is another one to really watch out for to make an impact. If we can be patient in serve receive and in transition, we'll be able to score some points. We have the personnel to do it, it's just about putting it all together."