Iowa volleyball will launch the 2018 season this weekend at the LUV Invitational in Nashville. The Hawkeyes will kick off the tournament against SMU on Saturday at noon, followed by a match against Lipscomb at 6:30 p.m. They conclude their opening weekend on Aug. 26 against Belmont at 3 p.m.

As the squad heads into its first matches, the focus is geared toward developing team chemistry, finding a voice from senior leaders, and encouraging the new faces on the court. Iowa boasts three returning players from its senior class: defensive specialist Molly Kelly, outside hitter Taylor Louis, and middle blocker Reghan Coyle.

“We expect the returners to step up and lead; we expect them to produce,” head coach Bond Shymansky said. “When the lights go on and the whistle blows, [we expect] our returning players [to be] really significant and really encouraging the new players in the lineup.”

The first of Iowa’s nonconference matchups, SMU concluded its 2017 season with a 21-11 record and qualified for the National Invitational Volleyball Championship. Tying for second in their league, the Mustangs boast five-straight years with 20-plus wins and three-consecutive National Invitational postseason appearances.

Much like the Hawkeyes, SMU adds seven new faces to the court, but it returns four starters and a libero from last season. The returning experience could make the Mustangs a dangerous team if the newcomers fit in well.

Lipscomb capped off 2017 with a 16-13 record, going 9-7 in conference play. The Bisons lost their exhibition match on Aug. 18, falling, 3-2, to Tennessee.

Belmont also had a 9-7 conference record from last season, going 14-15 overall. Before facing Iowa, the Bruins will take on Chattanooga this afternoon, along with Tennessee, and No. 22 Michigan State on Saturday.

Shymansky sees Louis and Coyle as key pieces to the Hawkeyes’ infrastructure, expecting the seniors to produce clutch kills. Louis returns to the court after leading the conference in kills with 1,534. She also became the first Hawkeye in 17 years to be named to the preseason All-Big Ten team. Coyle enters her final season after chalking up 182 kills in 2017.

Louis has confidence in the coaches and her team to improve defensively.

“Definitely our passing is very important and our defense with blocking and back row,” she said.

Off the court, the veteran hopes to get closer to her teammates and is excited to see what the team has in store for the upcoming season.

This early in the season, Iowa will focus on what it calls the “Three C’s” — communicating well, covering the court, and converting points. These pieces, along with basic serving and passing skills, will be vital to the team’s success.

Shymansky also hopes to see strong leadership from sophomore setter Brie Orr and outside hitters Meghan Buzzerio and Cali Hoye.

“If we can be low-error and do the basics very well, chances are the outcomes are going to be favorable,” Shymansky said.