At the same time, there's a lot of talent returning. Besides Jose, a middle hitter who was third in the Ivy League in blocks with 1.2 per game, Harvard brings back second-team All-Ivy Elissa Hart, a sophomore who can hit middle or right side.

Other key players who are back include a trio of sophomores: outside hitter Rachel Gold, middle hitter Sarah Logan and outside hitter Lolita. Lopez, who is moving over from setter. Vying for this year's setting spot will be co-captain Mika Sampson and a pair of freshmen, Marcella Mousavi and Katherine Nash.

Gold saw much action last season, playing in over 60 percent of the Crimson's games, so she, Lopez and freshman Melissa Forcum should fill the departing seniors' shoes well.

In addition, Harvard has one of the deepest benches that it has had in years, with reserves such as junior Heather Rypkema, sophomore Molly Meenan and freshmen Catherine Betti, Marcy Ellis and Anne Schafer.

Also, many players are interchangeable--Hart can hit middle, and Lopez can always set if needed.

"We're really more balanced," Jose said. "In terms of team chemistry, it seems that we've bonded much more quick. The off-the-bench support is strong."

Another bonus for this season is that two-thirds of the Crimson's non-tournament matches are home games. Besides the Harvard Invitational, the team only had four matches in the Malkin Athletic Center last year.

Not only did it mean that the Crimson spent a lot of time in front of hostile crowds in '94, but it was also hard for Harvard to get a strong fan base if the team was never home. This year, the players would like the home-heavy schedule to turn that trend around.

Hopefully for the Crimson, that will be the only trend that is turned around.