BY JOHN YELEY | STAFF SPORTS REPORTER

Volleyball coach Sharon Clark, Butler’s all-time winningest coach in the sport, will begin her ninth season at the helm as the team kicks off its 2013 regular season with the Cincinnati Invitational on Aug. 30.

Clark said this season may have a different feel as the club makes its debut in the Big East.

“We have a great group, including five new players,” Clark said. “They are very hardworking, and we’re being tested early, facing Cincinnati, Morehead State and Tennessee in our first couple days. We’ll look to focus on continued discipline and consistency, (while) raising offense.”

Senior Maggie Harbison, the squad’s leading hitter, will miss the next two tournaments due to a broken  finger. She sustained the injury in practice last week.

The Carmel native is confident that her team will be able to cope in her absence.

“We are really strong all around,“ Harbison said. “There are great incoming freshmen and, of course, all of the players returning.  I think they’ll be able to step up and exceed expectations.”