Head Volleyball Coach Chris Willis has his Lions squad thinking big for its upcoming season.

The Lions were picked to finish No. 8 in the MIAA preseason coaches poll but Willis says they are not letting that ranking affect their preparations.

“Showed it to our girls, told them what they were ranked,” he said. “Told them that we are thinking too small if we let this determine how hard we’re going to work.”

Willis also says that this year’s team is full of leaders he believes can lead by example.

“The concern for me is, who is going to say the difficult things when times are tough, and being able to hold people accountable,” he said. “That’s the person who can truly be a leader. I think we have a few girls who are emerging into that role.”

The Lions will need all the leadership they can get in what many consider a tough MIAA this year, with Emporia State and Washburn University picked at the top of most coaches’ polls.

Willis stressed that there is no team in the conference that can be taken lightly.

“You have five teams in the top 25 last year, six teams in the National Tournament,” he said. “I think Washburn is the most athletic team in the conference, and I think Emporia is probably the most experienced in that they’ve returned the most players and they finished at the top of the conference last year.”

As for the Lions and what to expect from them, Willis says they will be a high-energy team with a great desire to win, relying on a well-balanced offense and defense.

“Expect a fast, up-tempo offense, some fantastic effort on defense, and last but not least you’re going to see girls that enjoy playing the game,” Willis said. “I think that speaks volumes when you get to watch people who enjoy playing the game actually compete, they’re just a lot more fun to watch.”

The polls can measure raw talent but Willis seems to be very optimistic about the heart his team will bring to every match.

When asked what he was most looking forward to for this season, Willis joked “I’m looking forward to our next practice.”

“I’ve talked to the players about this,” he said. “Be in the moment and the rest will take care of itself. You always look towards the conference because there isn’t anybody you can overlook, so there’s no one match we ever really focus on.

“Every match for us is going to be a battle this year. We’re a team that is developing a championship attitude. If we try to focus on one game we’ve made ourselves too small.”

Willis cited new Assistant Coach Ryan Meek as one of the many assets the Lions have because he brings a new attitude and intensity to the court that will challenge the players.

Willis said another strength is the team’s depth up the middle.

“Our middle hitters are extremely athletic and dynamic,” he said. “I think our setters are going to be very good this year. So I think that in combination with our athletic middles is going to be a great combination.”

Although Willis said while the starters at these positions are very strong, he calls the backup plan for them “a little thin.”

The Lions open their season with the Missouri Southern Invitational Tournament on Aug. 28- 29.

On the first day of the competition they will face Midwestern State and Missouri S&T, followed the next day with contests against Southeastern Oklahoma State and Harding.

Last year’s squad finished the season with a 10-22 overall record and a 5-15 mark in the MIAA.

Southern returns nine letter winners to the 2009 squad.