“Spring season is not about winning or losing,” said Kirsten Bernthal Booth, head coach of the women’s volleyball team. “To build off what we did last season, we need to challenge our team against other top teams.”

And they plan to do just that. With three NCAA-qualifying teams on the schedule this spring, the Jays will compete in one of the program’s most challenging spring seasons yet.

The Jays took on a familiar off-season opponent, the University of South Dakota Coyotes, on Saturday. Their spring season opened with mid-morning competitive games followed by an afternoon scrimmage.

The team will travel for its next two match-ups to take on NCAA-qualifers Iowa State University on Thursday and the University of Nebraska on Apr. 12. The spring season will finish up with a three-match tournament, where the Jays will meet the University of Nebraska-Kearney, the University of Wyoming and NCAA-qualifier, the University of Northern Colorado.

Booth set a tough spring schedule in hopes of pushing her already talented team.

“I think we’ve got a veteran team, kids with experience,” Booth said. “But, this spring is all about those individuals getting better.”

With five seniors graduating from the program, the team returns 10 underclassmen for their offseason play. Returning freshmen include libero Kate Elman and outside hitter Melanie Jereb, who started every match for the Jays, along with defensive specialist Ashley Jansen and redshirt middle blocker Lauren Smith.

Sophomores include 2012 starters outside hitter Leah McNary, setter Michelle Sicner, defensive specialist Katie Neisler and serving specialist Lizzy Stivers.

Savannah Smith is the only returning upperclassmen for the Jays as a junior middle blocker.

Challenging her 10 veteran Jays wasn’t Coach Booth’s only rationale for scheduling tough competition this spring.

“It’s great to see where we match up,” said Booth. “But more importantly, we’ll see what we need to work on to be better next fall.”