HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University volleyball team enters 2019 under new leadership behind the bench, while also returning plenty of experience on the court. 

First-year bench boss Travis Nead is ready to mold the Cobras into competitors in the South Atlantic Conference. 

"With this being my first year in the program one of our main goals is to start integrating new systems, communication styles and learning our players' strengths," said Nead. "We're also focused on setting gym culture and team standards for how we attack each day with purpose."

Nead has also set expectations for his squad that are closely-aligned with the culture he wants to implement. 

"Our expectations are pretty simple," said Nead. "Be intentional and focused every day. Expect to compete and have a growth mindset. Be an excellent teammate. So far, I've been happy with the standards the team is holding itself to."

The Cobras return 11 players from last season, while adding six freshmen and one transfer to this year's roster. Nead is pleased so far with the chemistry his team has developed and maintained. 

"I've been impressed with how all of our returners have really gone the extra mile to make them feel welcomed and a part of the program," said Nead. "It's already having great results in practice and I can't wait to see how they continue to integrate as the season goes."

One of those 11 returners is senior outside hitter Taylor du Bray, who was named to the South Atlantic Conference Preseason All-Conference First Team. A season ago, du Bray set Coker single-season records in kills (373) and kills per set (3.73), while her 373 kills were second in the conference. Nead stated that the team will look to du Bray for leadership this season. 

"Taylor has been successful from an individual stand point and now she gets the opportunity to step into a solid leadership role as a senior," said Nead. "She is fun to watch on the right side for sure. I'd look for more of Taylor as we get the season underway."

Nead spoke very highly of his incoming freshman class, citing both the collective willingness and the mindset to be competitive from the start. 

"I'm really pleased with how all of our freshmen have come in and competed at a high level already," said Nead. "Right now, many of them are competing for playing time with many of our returners and it's exciting to watch. I'm looking forward to a lot of growth with this group on the court as they begin to get more comfortable at the college level and in our program."

The Cobras open the 2019 campaign two weeks later than last year, playing at the UNC Pembroke tournament Sept. 6-7. The Cobras open the season on the sixth facing national power Grand Valley State and Fayetteville State, before playing Purdue Northwest and host UNC Pembroke on the seventh. The Cobras open their home conference slate on Sept. 13-14 hosting Newberry and Anderson (S.C.), before traveling to Wingate (Sept. 17), Catawba (Sept. 20) and Queens (N.C.) (Sept. 21). The Cobras shift from September into October with five in a row at home featuring Carson-Newman (Sept. 27), Lincoln Memorial (Sept. 28), UNC Pembroke (Oct. 1), Lenoir-Rhyne (Oct. 4) and Mars Hill (Oct. 5). Mid-October features a four-match road swing with stops at Tusculum (Oct. 11), South Atlantic Conference (SAC) newcomer UVA-Wise (Oct. 12), Carson-Newman (Oct. 18) and Lincoln Memorial (Oct. 19). The final days of October feature three home conference matches against Wingate (Oct. 22), Catawba (Oct. 25) and Queens (N.C.) (Oct. 26) before the Cobras travel to Francis Marion on Oct. 29 to wrap up October. November begins on the road at Newberry (Nov. 1) and Anderson (S.C.) (Nov. 2), before Tusculum and UVA-Wise come to town on the eighth and ninth respectively. The Cobras will wrap up the regular season on the road at Lenoir-Rhyne (Nov. 15) and Mars Hill (Nov. 16). 

"There's certainly not a true break with our schedule, and specifically in our conference," said Nead. "I think we'll be tested early with some back-to-back matches in mid-September. That's always a good measuring stick of where you are then I'd say the toughest stretch would probably be our four-match road stretch. All four matches should be tough challenges but factoring in that both trips are our longest trips I think we'll find out a lot about our resiliency during this time frame and I'm excited for the challenge."

The Cobras open the season on Sept. 6 against Grand Valley State at UNC Pembroke in Pembroke, N.C. First serve for that contest is set for 3 p.m.