After a tough start to the Kristee Porter era of Henderson State volleyball in 2015, the Reddies will look to an influx of new players to help turn the page in 2016.

Henderson begins the new season on Friday when the Reddies travel to Tampa, Fla. to take part in the Tampa Classic. Up first for Henderson is the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown at 12:15 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. match against host Tampa.

On the docket for day two is a match with Minnesota State at 12:15 Saturday afternoon, with a final match against Franklin Pierce at 4:45 p.m.

Porter, a four-time All-American at UCLA from 1997-2000, came to Henderson State last fall with ambitions of getting a proud Reddies program back on track, but the first year proved to be a difficult one for both her and the Reddies as they struggled to a 4-25 record.

In order to jumpstart a quick rebuilding process, Porter gave the program a complete overhaul during the offseason with the addition of 22 new players and the installation of a JV team. She said that while those moves did help institute culture change to a degree, they also served as a tool to give as many good players an opportunity to play for the Reddies as possible.

"We think there are so many talented volleyball players out there who don't get the looks they deserve but still want to be collegiate athletes," Porter said. "So we wanted to give those players an opportunity to play and represent Henderson State."

With 10 new players highlighting the 14-member varsity roster for 2016, those fresh faces will have a large role to play this season. Sophomore transfer Sharon Tukuaoga, a skilled 6'2 opposite hitter, will be counted on to shoulder some of the load offensively, freshmen Haley Higgins and Sariah Boney will team up with senior Leila Whaley to complete the setting corps, and freshman outside hitter Kamra Jackson looks to be a contributor both offensively and defensively for this new-look Reddies team in 2016.

In addition to the wave of young talent, Henderson State boasts key returnees in senior middle blocker Jessie Jacoby, an All-GAC Honorable Mention selection in 2015 and the team leader in kills from last season, as well as junior libero Sydney Skelton, who led the squad with 317 digs last fall.

Having put last season behind them and with the mixture of old and new talent, Porter said that this year's Reddie volleyball team is ready to take the next step on the road back to the top.

"Last year's team competed hard, but was outmatched in most of the games we played," Porter said. "This year I think that will be reversed a little bit, and I think we will be able to compete really well with some really strong teams."