The Southeast Missouri State University women's volleyball program received a fresh start with the hiring of coach Julie Folliard on March 3, after a losing 2010 season.

Senior outside hitter Paige Dossey feels energized by the new coaching regime.

"I'm not ready to leave the gym. Ever," Dossey said.

"The coaches are amazing. It's unreal how much we have learned in the last week and a half," Dossey said, referring to the team's preseason practices.

Folliard, who played volleyball at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1998-2001, came to Southeast after stints as assistant coach at Georgia State University and as associate head coach at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Folliard said she is very excited about the team she is taking over.

"[Being head coach at Southeast] is a great situation to be in. The personality of the players and their work ethics makes it a great situation to walk into," Folliard said.

Helping her transition to Southeast is assistant coach Nikki Bucholz. Folliard credited Bucholz for learning how to motivate each player. Bucholz is the only coach currently on staff that was also on former coach Renata Heard's staff.

Folliard is changing the team's offense. She wants to use crossing patterns, in which the hitters cross each other, thus switching sides and hopefully confusing the defense. Folliard said this change will quicken and diversify the team's offense, while making it surprising at the same time.

"I run the team's offense to fit the players we have," Folliard said.

Sophomore middle blocker Emily Coon said that the team's attitude and practicing has also changed.

"The team has adapted to it really well. It's been completely different from [the day Folliard became coach]. The coaches are more hands-on with us. It's a big change," Coon said.

According to Coon, practices under the old coaching staff were more individual, which caused separation between the team and the coaches. The team's practices now have a focus on team drills, which inherently makes them more competitive.

"We have a lot more six-on-six drills which also gets us into good volleyball shape, instead of just running," Dossey said.

The Redhawks haven't had a winning season since 2007 and have had three winning seasons out of the past 10.

Last year's squad finished 7-22 overall with a 4-14 record in Ohio Valley Conference play.

Folliard described herself as enthusiastic and positive, though. She said this season for Southeast volleyball will be like an inspirational Lifetime movie. She also shows inspirational sports movies to the team.

"She has shown us 'Coach Carter' and 'Remember the Titans'. Those are some of my favorite sports movies," Dossey said.

The team hopes for a quick turnaround and a winning 2011 season.

"We are all so excited," Dossey said. "We have learned tons and had lots of fun doing it."