Lynn Thees isn’t afraid of a challenge.

Then again, the act of leaving a program you helped establish as a Division II national collegiate volleyball power for the northern hinterlands of Orono and a fledgling Division I team should make that point obvious enough.

The five-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference coach of the year said it wasn’t as tough a decision as you might think.

“I had pretty much gotten to the point where I felt I had done all I could do at Edinboro [University],” Theehs said. “It was a unique opportunity and it seemed like a good time to make a change.”

After seeing her inexperienced team lose six of its first seven matches, Theehs couldn’t have been blamed much for second-guessing herself, but she didn’t. Heck, she left the comfy confines of a school she had led to nine NCAA Division II Tournament and four Elite Eight appearances for a program with only 10 players on the roster and none of them freshmen.

“I knew this would be a challenge and we have a lot of work to do. I’m just looking for steady improvement and we’ll see how things shape up as we go along,” Theehs said.

The Black Bears responded to a six-match losing streak by winning three straight last weekend at an invitational tournament in West Point, N.Y. If the Bears enjoy a successful 2004 season, last weekend’s matches could prove to be the turning point. The match against host team Army, in particular, was key.

“I thought Army was deep and athletic and when we played them, our girls really stepped up and picked them apart and flat-out beat them,” said Theehs, referring to Maine’s three-set sweep. “I think we’re playing better together and the girls are competing harder and doing a lot of things really well. I think our offense is really starting to click.”

Tri-captains Brittany Howe of Columbia, Marina Ivankovic of Ontario, and Carmen Morgan (1.0 blocks per game) of Saskatchewan – the only seniors on the team – have helped mold a team short on depth into a unit that’s becoming more cohesive by the week.

Junior outside hitter Kaili Jordan, also of Saskatchewan, leads the team with 3.8 of Maine’s 12.9 kills per game, sophomore outside hitter Jody Connacher leads with 3.9 of Maine’s 14.5 digs per game.

The development of players short on experience – like junior middle blocker Shannan Fotter (1.1 blocks per game) and sophomore setter Shelly Seip (6.5 set assists per game) – has helped the Black Bears turn things around over a two-week period.

“Our overall hitting has really improved for us,” Theehs explained. “We run a faster offense: A modified swing offense where attackers have a variety of options and it allows our hitters to hit a larger variety of shots.”

Maine will host Waterloo University for matches Friday and Saturday and play two matches the following week before starting its America East conference schedule with AE title favorite New Hampshire at home Oct. 5.