The Fresno State volleyball team rose above expectations in conference play last year, but after losing five senior starters and gaining six newcomers, the ‘Dogs have some challenges to overcome with a relatively new and inexperienced team.

After finishing in fourth place last season, the Bulldogs were picked to finish in eighth place in the Mountain West preseason poll. The low ranking comes from key players graduating, but head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell is pleased with the team’s progress over the last three weeks.

“They’ve exceeded my expectations, which is good,” Netherby-Sewell said. “I’m actually really pleased with where we’re at. We can really pinpoint what we’re doing well and what we’re struggling with.”

The ‘Dogs kicked off their season with the annual alumnae game, which Fresno State won 3-1. The alumnae team had four of last year’s seniors playing, including Korrin Wild and Holly Franks who are playing professionally overseas this year.

“The alumnae team played really well this year,” Netherby-Sewell said. “It was such a great starting point for us. Statistically, we looked really, really strong.”

Senior middle blocker Maci Murdock, who completed a tour of Europe with the Mountain West All-Star Team over the summer, said the alumnae game was a good experience for the team.

“We played really well together,” she said. “You know, we have so many new people coming in. We had really good ball control and didn’t make a lot of unforced errors.”

The newcomers include five freshmen: outside hitter Taylor Brubaker from San Clemente, Calif., outside hitter Carly Scarbrough from Sarasota, Fla., middle blocker Lauren Torres from Visalia, Calif., redshirt outside hitter Haylee Roberts from Bakersfield, Calif., and defensive specialist/libero Jacqueline Hutcheson from Exeter, Calif. There is one transfer, setter Jelena Jovanovic from Belgrade, Serbia.

“The newcomers want to be good; that’s usually half the battle,” Netherby-Sewell said. Although the newcomers have things to work on and learn, Netherby-Sewell said they all have great things to contribute to the team.

“Coming from high school to college is a big transformation, and I think they’re doing a really good job at making changes,” Murdock said. “They’re coming in for extra work. They’re working really hard, so I think they’re doing a really good job of that.”

As well as the newcomers, the ‘Dogs have some returners who haven’t had as much playing experience in the past who are now stepping into important offensive, defensive and leadership roles.

Senior outside hitter Jaimee-Lee Morrow has impressed the coaches with her attitude, and Netherby-Sewell thinks Morrow will be able to make a really good impact this season.

“Jaimee keeps surprising me,” Netherby-Sewell said. “She came in, and she’s ready to play.”

Murdock, one of four seniors in 2014, said coming in as leaders this year has come with pressure, but they’ve handled it fairly well by bringing the team together on and off the court and working hard to improve.

This year’s team looks different from any other team that Netherby-Sewell has had in the past, more defensively oriented than ever before.

“They’re not as imposing. They’re not as intimidating, but they play decent volleyball,” Netherby-Sewell said.

The Bulldogs’ season starts on the road at the Adidas Rice Invitational tournament in Houston, Texas, where they’ll be competing against Lousiana-Lafayette today at 2 p.m. PDT, UC Davis on Saturday at 11 a.m. PDT and Rice University Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. PDT.

“The first tournament we’ll really focus on ourselves, and just try to get clear volleyball out of each other,” Netherby-Sewell said. The ‘Dogs play two more tournaments on the road following the first, making five straight weekends of road trips, playing in Sacramento, New York and Bakersfield.

“We’re going to be road warriors, there’s no doubt,” Netherby-Sewell said. “It’s going to be grueling, no doubt about it.”

The ‘Dogs start their season with five weekend road games but will return to the Save Mart Center Sept. 23 in an exhibition match against Fresno Pacific at 7 p.m.