By Brandon Weiss, MUTigers.com correspondent

As 15th-ranked Mizzou volleyball hits the road, senior middle blocker Whitney Little is preparing to play at home.

The Keller, Texas, native has played inside the state of Texas many times in her Mizzou career, most in her time in the Big 12 during her freshman campaign, though never closer than Denton, where the Tigers will play this weekend at the North Texas Tournament. The home of the Mean Green sits only a half hour from where Little grew up.

Little's parents - Bill and Lori - have been able to see her play plenty during her college career, either flying or driving to many of her matches. But with the close proximity to home, Little expects to see her whole family and lots of friends at the gym as she and the Tigers begin their SEC title defense. She doesn't think that all of the familiar faces in the stands will affect her play.

"I'm excited, it'll be a nice start (getting to play close to home)," Little said. "I think it's just more fun (playing in front of friends). A lot of my friends can't make it because of school, but the ones who can I think it's going to be exciting just for them to be there and really just to reunite with them and see them."

Little emphasized the need for a strong start from the team, noting that setting the tone for the season early on is pivotal.

"Teams that don't start strong, it kind of stays with them," Little said. "If you lose your first game or whatever it is, that's just not what anyone wants."

Mizzou, which boasts its highest preseason ranking since 2006, looks to improve on an already impressive trend of starting the season on a high note. The Tigers have won 17 of their last 18 opening weekend matches since 2009, including taking each of the last six season openers.

Facing the Tigers are three tough squads in Mississippi Valley State, Northwestern State and North Texas, three teams eager to knock off the defending SEC champions who are riding an 18-game non-conference winning streak.

"The teams down there are going to be pretty competitive," said coach Wayne Kreklow. "Mississippi Valley State didn't have a great year last year, but North Texas is picked fourth in Conference USA and Northwestern State is picked third in the Southland Conference. Northwestern State is a 21-match winner last year with a lot of people back."

The importance of this tournament goes beyond wins, though, as Mizzou looks to gain valuable experience with a young roster. This year's Tiger squad includes 10 underclassmen compared to only five combined juniors and seniors, and Kreklow is hoping the team can gel quickly.

The team also looks to overcome the losses of setter Molly Kreklow and Lisa Henning, the dynamic duo that sparked last season's 34-0 mark.

"With this particular group, it's going to be a chance for us to just get on the floor and start playing again," Kreklow said. "Even though on paper it looks like we've got a lot of people back, we've got young kids or new kids in new positions."

One of the players in new positions is sophomore Loxley Keala, a defensive specialist last season who is transitioning into the role of setter. Deemed the best overall player on the team by Kreklow, Keala may also spend time at outside hitter.

With so much change from last season and so many players taking on new roles, Kreklow said he plans on leaning heavily on his seniors to provide guidance and emotional support for the younger players.

"I think with these (seniors), we just need them to be steady, to be solid," he said. "I think our message to them this weekend, our first weekend of play, is that we don't need those guys to be superhuman. We don't need for them to feel like they need to be perfect. All we need from them is to do what they always do. Be solid, play smart, do the things that they've always done."

The Tigers open the season Friday (Aug. 29) at 4 p.m. against Mississippi Valley State. After this three-game tournament, Mizzou returns to the Hearnes Center for the Tiger Invitational next week.