LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Volleyball earned a Co-GSAC Championship in 2014, its first since 1997, and went on to its third NAIA Semifinals appearance in as many years, ultimately finishing with a 32-5 overall record.
 
The 2015 squad looks drastically different than the 2014 contingent, featuring seven seniors and seven brand new players, but as with most years for Aaron Seltzer's program it was all about retooling, not rebuilding.
 
Confidence is sky high for this team as its core is made up of a senior leadership group that has never finished outside of the top four teams in the nation during its tenure at Biola. Add to that the fact that the team Biola tied with atop the conference standings in 2014 is not longer in the GSAC and things are looking up.
 
"Each year it is a little different," said Seltzer. "We first talk about being successful in conference. Then, if we're successful in conference, it leads to a national tournament situation, and when you get there it is all about finding out how you can be successful there."
 
The Eagles have made it to the national tournament each season since 2007. Last year's tournament run ended in a five-set thriller against the eventual national champion No. 1 Park.
 
Biola has a chance to avenge that heartbreaking loss with a midseason trip to Grand View University in Iowa, where it will face Grand View, Missouri Baptist and Park. Two of those three teams played at the NAIA National Championship Tournament in 2014.
 
" That was definitely a really tough loss last season at nationals," said senior outside hitter and All-American Alyssa Mason. "I definitely think that we have the pieces to where we can beat them this year."
 
Of course, a team cannot focus on one game all year long and be successful, a fact that Seltzer constantly drills into his team in order to get them to take the season one match at a time.
 
"I like to take one at a time," said Seltzer. "So the biggest date for me is College of Idaho. That's day one. You've got to look at every single match one at a time. The minute you overlook somebody you get bit."
 
Biola comes into the season as the odds-on favorites to win the conference title. They finished 15-1 in GSAC play in 2014 and tied with Concordia for the championship, finishing four games ahead of the next team, Vanguard. Filling Concordia's place in the conference is GSAC newcomer, Menlo College.
 
The Eagles return three of their four NAIA All-Americans from last season: Mason, Joclyn Kirton and Lauren Hoenecke. Biola graduated three seniors last year, including the reigning NAIA Player of the Year, Amy Weststeyn.
 
However, Seltzer brought in seven new players to help add to the Eagles' depth across the board. He brought in four freshmen, two sophomore transfers and a junior transfer.
 
"I'm really excited about the team we have this year," said Kirton. "We were really blessed and got a good group of girls coming in. I'm excited to play with them on the court and get to know them better."
 
Biola begins its season on Aug. 20 with a noon match against College of Idaho as a part of its annual Summer Slam tournament inside Chase Gymnasium.
 
Its first Golden State Athletic Conference match is Sept. 11 at 7:00 p.m. against Arizona Christian.
 
All home games are free for Biola students. All home games and most road games are streamed live at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/biola/.