ORONO – You might think a volleyball team that’s preparing for a season – and doing so after losing the America East’s player of the year to graduation – would view the upcoming year as one of transition.

If you’re talking about the University of Maine, and the transition you have in mind is from “contender” to “champion,” you’d be exactly right.

Yes, Leah Voss is gone, and with her the Black Bears lose their top offensive option. But don’t expect fourth-year coach Sue Medley to spend much time worrying about what she doesn’t have. She’s too busy focusing on the various weapons her Bears will possess in 2002.

“We have more attackers. We have better attackers,” Medley said. “And I expect that our setters will be making better decisions. We just continue to build. I think you’ll see a more diversified attack than you did last year.”

The Bears open their schedule on Aug. 30 and 31 when they host the Sea-Sun Opener Invitational at Memorial Gym.

A year ago the Bears posted their first winning record (17-12) since the program was reinstated in 1999. They went 9-5 in America East play, and as the No. 4 seed knocked off top-ranked Towson in the league tournament semifinals. They lost to Northeastern in the championship.

Sophomore right-side hitter and setter Carmen Gabriel said the team’s goal this season is simple.

“Our team goal right now is the America East championship. Winning that tournament and going out to the NCAAs,” Gabriel said. “Last year we looked at that right off the start and we were really close, but this year, it’s gonna be different. We’re gonna make it.”

Two reasons to expect good things this season: the return of junior setter Cheryl Elliott and Gabriel. A year ago, both were all-league performers, and Gabriel was an all-rookie pick at right-side hitter as a frosh, and filled in ably as a setter. Her emergence will allow Medley to tinker with the lineup a bit.

“Elliott’s a better attacker than when she left [in the spring], and Gabriel’s a better setter,” Medley said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you see us using a 6-2 offense during a game, and a 5-1.”

A 6-2 offense brings a setter from the back row to set three front-row hitters, while a 5-1 offense utilizes the same person as a setter whether she’s in the front or the back row.

Other key players: junior Claire Poliquin, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker who led the team in blocking (90) and hitting percentage a year ago (.291); freshmen Leah Guidinger and Kailli Jordan, and returnees Alaina Kleparek, Lori Maloney, Marina Ivankovic and Brittany Howe.

Howe, a sophomore, is from Columbia and played for Narraguagus High School in Harrington. Two Maine freshmen are also on the roster: Ashley Marble of Topsfield, who played at Woodland, and Sarah Beasley of Houlton.

Marble said she has enjoyed the grueling adjustment to Division I athletics.

“It’s mentally and physically demanding, but as long as you work hard and put 110 percent effort into it and give it all you have, you’ll do fine,” Marble said.

MAINE VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

AUGUST

30 Sea-Sun Opener Invitational

St. Peter’s vs. Temple, 4:30 p.m.

Maine vs. Ottawa, 7 p.m.

31 Sea-Sun Opener Invitational

Ottawa vs. Temple, 11:30 a.m.

Maine vs. St. Peter’s 2 p.m.

St. Peter’s vs. Ottawa, 4:30 p.m.

Maine vs. Temple, 7 p.m.

SEPTEMBER

6 at Niagara Tournament

7 at Niagara Tournament

8 at Siena, 4 p.m.

13 at University of Colorado Tournament

14 at University of Colorado Tournament

20 Maine Invitational

Oakland vs. Georgia State, 9 a.m.

Portland vs. Lehigh, 11:30 a.m.

Maine vs. Oakland, 2 p.m.

Lehigh vs. Georgia State, 4:30 p.m.

Maine vs. Portland, 7 p.m.

21 Maine Invitational

Oakland vs. Lehigh, 9 a.m.

Portland vs. Georgia State, 11:30 a.m.

Maine vs. Lehigh, 2 p.m.

Oakland vs. Portland, 4:30 p.m.

Maine vs. Georgia State, 7 p.m.

28 vs. Harvard at Dartmouth, 4 p.m.

29 at Dartmouth, 1 p.m.

OCTOBER

5 at Sacred Heart, 1 p.m.

6 at Fairleigh Dickinson, noon

9 at Boston College, 7:30 p.m.

11 Albany, 7 p.m.

13 Binghamton, 1 p.m.

18 New Hampshire, 7 p.m.

20 Northeastern, 1 p.m.

25 at Hartford, 7 p.m.

26 at Stony Brook, 7 p.m.

NOVEMBER

1 at Binghamton, 7 p.m.

2 at Albany, 7 p.m.

8 Hartford, 7 p.m.

10 Stony Brook, 1 p.m.

15 at Northeastern, 7 p.m.

16 at New Hampshire, 7 p.m.

22-24 America East Tournament