Coach T.J. Shouse and the Tiffin University volleyball program have big plans, ones that stretch beyond the upcoming season.

The Dragons, coming off a 14-19 mark in 2008 and a 2-14 mark in their first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference season, think they're in a better position for success this year.

Setter Jessica Adams said TU did compete in the GLIAC in 2008, and had opportunities to get more victories.

"Our problem was finishing it off," said the junior, who had a team-leading 712 assists last year. "We'd get up then fall behind. We needed that final push. It did definitely get frustrating at times, but we had to stay positive."

After a year of going against GLIAC competition, Shouse says the Dragons have a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in the league. Before joining the GLIAC in 2008, TU spent a year as an independent at Division II level. Before that, it had been a powerhouse in the NAIA American Mideast Conference, setting a school record with 35 wins in Shouse's first year, 2006.

"Getting through that first year [in the GLIAC] was difficult, just because you're not used to the travel demands, and the big thing is you're not used to the level of play you're at on a daily basis," said Shouse, who enters his fourth season leading the Dragons. "Trying to hammer that home in practice can only go so far, and the kids didn't really get a chance to experience it until they're in their first conference game. After a while they started to get adjusted to it."

But the change in competition did affect some of the players' morale.

"[Playing] a lot better teams, I felt like I wasn't doing as good," said middle hitter Brittany Teaford, who still slammed 209 kills last season. "It brought me down a notch."

But the optimism for this season is apparent, in the coaches and the players.

"We all learned the competition had gotten better, and we need to step up," said outside hitter Brooke Bernabei, who registered a team-best 308 kills last year. "We're definitely building. It's also a good thing that we're young, because we can teach the younger kids and tell them how the competition will be."

Shouse also sounds optimistic.

"Last year I think we did OK for our first year - definitely not where we want to be program-wise," he said. "But I feel like the team that we have back, and some of the new kids that are coming in can help us improve a little bit, and take another small step forward for our program."

BEYOND THE SEA: Shouse and his players already have something big coming up after the season. The program is planning a trip to Italy for 2010's spring break.

"What we've done is we've kind of amped up our fundraising a little bit to help to be able to pay for the trip, just to try to support the kids and try to minimize their costs, especially the way things are," Shouse said. "The main reason we're taking the trip is, it's a great experience for our program, that has never really taken an overseas trip like that."

But why Italy?

"Italy has a very strong background volleyball-wise," Shouse said. "In terms of European play, it's one of the better places professionally for teams to play. The youth programs that they have there are very well-established, and to be honest, if the volleyball side of it makes sense, I think all my kids agreed that if thy could take a trip somewhere, Italy would be one of the highest things."

It's something the players are already looking forward to.

"We're all very excited," Bernabei said. "We don't know what to expect. It will be a great experience volleyball-wise [also with] life lessons."

Teaford said she's looking forward to the competition.

"I think it'll be great to play against totally different people," she said. "I'm pretty excited to go."

MORE HELP: Shouse said one of the biggest reasons he's optimistic is that this year, he has a full-time assistant - former Hiram player Jill Howard.

"Being able to have another full-time employee on our staff is going to have huge benefits," he said. "She's already been talking to a couple players, mainly our setters and (defensive specialists). I think she's going to do a phenomenal job improving those two areas."

OVER ON THE GRIDIRON: Another Tornado is making a mark at an Ohio Athletic Conference school.

Kyle Gilbert, a standout at Columbian (where he played under his father, Steve), is entering his third season at Ohio Northern, where he plays defensive back.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder played in four games last season and made a pair of tackles.

A fellow Columbian graduate, wide receiver Anthony Brown, is entering his sophomore year with the Polar Bears.

YOU SAID IT: "I think it provided us with a unique opportunity to play at a high level volleyball-wise, and also have an experience that's going to be very fulfilling for their lives." - Shouse, on the upcoming trip to Italy.