If the old-fashioned values of teamwork, togetherness, and optimism mean anything, then the Felician College women's volleyball team is poised for improvement in 2013.

Coming off a 1-24 campaign a year ago, Felician is seeking its first appearance in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference playoffs since 2007. Doing so means finishing among the top four schools in the seven-team CACC North Divison.

When it comes to the mental side of the game, the Golden Falcons appear to already have a head start.

"Our players all have the same goal, and it's to win for each other," said fourth-year head coach Amber Butler. "The dynamic among them is great for such a young team. The attitudes are much more positive, and I think our fans will be able to see the enthusiasm and sense of community on our squad."

The Golden Falcons begin the year with just one senior and two juniors among eight active players. Because of the youth and relatively small amount of depth, Butler has been urging her team to view the season in small parts.

"We haven't set season goals," she said. "We simply set goals before each match. If we reach them each time, that will start to add up to a successful season."

SETTER: Sophomores Susie McKeever (North Fort Myers, Fla./North Fort Myers) and Sarah Shebel (Chandler, Ariz./Perry) split 2012 setting duties, and more of the same is in store for this season. Both players are expected to appear in all rotations.

OUTSIDE/OPPOSITE: Sophomore Olivia Emerson (Sparks, Nev./Reed) moves from middle blocker to outside hitter with the graduation of the program's all-time kills leader, Jenna Matesic. The 5-foot-11 Emerson, combined with 5-foot-10 junior transfer Emma Reijonen (Joensuu, Finland/Lyseo Joensuun/LIU Brooklyn) at opposite hitter, gives the Golden Falcons an imposing front row presence.

"We're just a much bigger, taller team than we've been in the past," Butler said. "We are hoping that translates into better blocking and more quality front-row attacks."

True freshman Tiana Scriven (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson) will also be competing for playing time.

MIDDLE: Sophomore Kayla Gallagher (Bloomingburg, N.Y./Pine Bush) set the single-season school record for attack percentage as a rookie in 2012. The previous record holder, 6-footer Alexa Scrivanich (Paramus, N.J./Paramus), is the Golden Falcons' only senior and will be looked to as a calming presence. Junior Tonia Ford (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) is steadily improving and can also hit opposite.

BACK ROW/LIBERO: McKeever and Shebel will stabilize the defense when not setting.