Another school year brings another promising season for the Golden Suns volleyball team. With three returning starters and five preseason all-star candidates, Tech is hoping to improve on its impressive 31-5 record in 2008 and win its second straight Gulf South Conference West title.

Only once since 1995 have the Golden Suns failed to make a GSC tournament appearance. That came in 2004 when Tech managed an underwhelming record of 4-25. The following year saw the beginning of the Kristy Bayer era at Tech, and the Golden Suns’ return to prominence. Bayer enters her sixth season as the head coach of the Golden Suns eyeing a GSC tournament title.

Coach Bayer will have plenty of talent to help the cause. Junior middle blocker Sarah Von Lienen was named all-GSC West and honorable mention all-south region last year as a sophomore. The Golden Suns also return setter Kera Dukic and outside hitter Marcela Mascarenhas, who led the team in aces with 58.

Other key returning members for the Golden Suns are right side hitter Ashlynn Hamrick who recorded 241 kills in 35 matches in 2008 and outside hitter Laura Farney who posted 11 solo blocks last season. The Golden Suns also return the 2008 GSC West freshman of the year, libero Brennae Benda.

The Golden Suns have a pair of fresh faces to watch as well. Freshman Kelsey Cheatham and junior middle blocker Thabata Gaivao, a transfer from NW Wyoming CC, were named to the 2009 GSC top newcomers list.

However, the Golden Suns will be replacing some familiar faces. Racheal Urquhart set the school record for kills and digs during her career. Urquhart returns as a student assistant coach for the Golden Suns this year.

Other missing faces are two-time all-GSC middle blocker Dana Florian and four-time all-GSC honoree Kayla Allison.

The Golden Suns will begin their 2009 campaign on Friday in Tucker Coliseum in the Hampton Inn Spikefest.

Tech will play four matches in two days, the first coming against Texas A&M International at 1 p.m.