Do you remember what happened last volleyball season?

I'm trying to forget.

The Wildcats marked their worst-ever Big 12 Conference finish. They started the season with an 8-2 record but then went just 4-16 in the Big 12, placing them second to last in the conference.

So why, you ask, did your beloved volleyball team disappoint?

In general, poor performances should be blamed on either coaches or players. Fortunately for coach Suzie Fritz, she already has proven she can be successful. K-State is one of three programs ever to win a Big 12 title, and last season was Fritz's first losing campaign.

The current players don't have the luxury of a good history like Fritz.

The best part about last year's players was that they were hard-working and excited. The worst part about last year's squad was that they were injured and excitable.

Junior outside hitter Rita Liliom injured her knee before the 2006 season, leaving a hole in the Wildcats' lineup.

Diving in was senior Angie Lastra, who moved to outside hitter from her natural position of libero.

During Lastra's stay at outside hitter, she gained valuable experience and became a team leader. It was natural for the rest of the Wildcats to follow Lastra when they watched her 5-foot-6 frame fly above the net time and time again for kills.

By the end of the 2006 season, Lastra had proved one thing to me. She has more talent per inch than anyone in the Big 12, and I think coach Suzie Fritz agrees.

"There is nobody better than Angie Lastra," Fritz said. "She makes plays that people just don't make."

This year, Lastra will be back where she belongs, anchoring K-State's backline defense from her natural libero position.

The Wildcats only graduated one senior in 2006, outside hitter Sandy Werner. With just one senior, the Wildcats had young, inexperienced leadership. They couldn't pull out the close matches, going 0-5 in five-game matches.

But luckily for everyone in the K-State world, the squad's young leadership is now mature leadership.

"Since 2003, I think these are the strongest leaders we've had," Fritz said.

There's more good news: Fritz landed a Russian transfer named Natalya Korobkova in the offseason. She is a 6-foot-3 junior who happens to be the preseason selection for Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. I've only seen her play once, but I already predict she will lead the Wildcats in kills.

Believe me, your 2007 team will not disappoint.

Jonathan Potter is a sophomore in business. Please send comments to sports@spub.ksu.edu.