By RANDY GONZALES

rgonzales@dailynews.net

The Thomas More Prep-Marian volleyball team doesn't have a home match this season.

In years past, the Monarchs have usually had just one home date, so the team is used to being "road warriors", as ninth-year head coach Lanee Young puts it.

TMP-Marian opens the season Thursday with a 5 p.m. quadrangular at Abilene.

Local fans will miss seeing a team that that lost just two seniors off last year's 23-14 squad. The Monarchs won the Mid-State Activities Association tourney title for the second time under Young, and had three players make all-league and two more receive honorable mention honors.

"We haven't discussed it at all," Young said of not having a home match. "We're just preparing for the first game.

"We just want to get better throughout the season. It doesn't matter where, at all," she added.

Junior outside hitter Kaylee Hoffman and senior outside hitter Maddie Holub both made the first-team MSAA squad.

"We really expect her to be our team leader," Young said of Holub, one of two captains.

As for the 5-foot-10 Hoffman, a three-sport standout, Young said: "She's just an athlete. This year, she's really practicing, practicing to get better."

Junior Jessa Stramel, a 5-10 middle hitter, gives the Monarchs another big presence.

"She's a workhorse," Young said. "She doesn't get the glory, always doing her job."

Senior Alicia Hammeke is another middle hitter and the team's other captain.

"She's so aggressive," Young said. "She also keeps us loose."

Senior Sara Newell is an opposite hitter and a returning starter who was honorable mention MSAA in 2007.

"She is so consistent," Young said. "You know she is going to get the job done."

Junior Sophia Schippers is an opposite, while senior Taryn Kippes can be a middle hitter or opposite. Injuries slowed Kippes last season.

Senior Alexis Inlow is a setter, with both Hoffman and Schippers also in the mix.

At libero are seniors Heidi Fieler and Kat Wagoner.

Last year's team lost in the first-round of sub-state. The Monarchs want to make it to state this year.

"We had a good season," Young said. "We want to win league again, want to go to state.

"We want to play hard and practice harder," she added.

The key to the team's success might not be as much what happens on the court, but off it.

"I think the biggest thing is going to be team chemistry," Young said. "There's a lot of talent on this team; just getting everybody accepting their roles.

"It doesn't matter who gets the glory, as long as we're winning," she added.