Missouri Western lost twice as many games as it won this year, but the final days of the volleyball season have first-year coach Cory Frederick twice as optimistic as before.

Behind hitter Kelli Sicner and setter Madison Benton, the Griffons went 3-3 over their past six games, including a 3-2 victory on Nov. 6 against then-No. 20 Nebraska-Omaha.

"I'm happy with the way the girls finished this season, to make the

improvements we made form last year with very little recruiting," Frederick said. "It was all done just through the players themselves, working through practice."

This season's team finished 11-22, after reaching a low point on Oct. 10 with their 11th straight loss. After a 3-2 victory at Northwest Missouri State on Oct. 14, the Griffons went into another five-game tailspin to reach their low point at 8-19.

Frederick is finding positives where he can, even though the Griffons are nearer the other end of the spectrum from where his Park University men's team was two years ago with a national championship.

"I would never set this as a goal, but we did not finish last in conference, so that's a step up from where we were last year," Frederick said.

The Griffons also swept the season series with Northwest, getting their second victory over the Bearcats on Nov. 11 when Sicner led the way with 17 kills and 14 digs.

Sicner, a junior outside hitter, figures heavily into Frederick's plans for next season. However, the coach is seeking better play from her position next year.

"This year our outsides have produced at times, but they're inconsistent," said Frederick, who believes more height and better ball control are crucial. "If I can do it through spring practice, great; but if we have to do it through recruiting, we'll do it that way."

Frederick will have to find replacements for Benton, who averaged a team-best 9.61 sets per game, and 6-foot middle hitter Allison Smith - the only seniors on this year's team. He also hopes to infuse more height and athletic ability across the board.

To do so, Frederick isn't opposed to looking outside the U.S. borders.

"I'm looking at a lot of players right now, but most of that doesn't develop until February and March because of the way their school system works," Frederick said.

Frederick said a lot of prospects out of high school want to see if they can catch on with a professional team before considering options in the United States. But he's been talking with his recruiting contacts nonetheless.

"I'm hoping to get over there some time in February to take a look at some of the people we've been talking to," Frederick said.

In one instance, a face-to-face visit was all that was needed to wrestle one international recruit away from Western.

"I had a girl I really liked, but we lost her to West Virginia a couple of weeks ago," Frederick said. "The person I was working with basically told me the West Virginia coaches came over and sat down with her and her family to have a meeting with them. That's basically why she chose West Virginia, and I don't blame her."