Coaches usually abhor change. They are all about consistency that comes from hours of redundant drilling of time-tested fundamentals and game plans.

So imagine how Pete Waite is going to feel Friday night when his University of Wisconsin volleyball team opens its season with a new offense he has never previously coached that includes using two setters who have three combined starts for the Badgers.

Completing the "new" trifecta are some changes in terminology and rules to the college volleyball sport. Games are now called sets and it takes 25 points to win them instead of 30. That puts the college game in line with the club, high school and international games.

It's not a surprise that Waite prefers to look at what has remained the same at Wisconsin.

"We've got a number of returning players including an All-American and a fifth-year senior who have had very good court-time already," said Waite, who was referring to junior All-American Brittney Dolgner and fifth-year senior Audra Jeffers. "That helps it all mesh together."

Dolgner, Jeffers and junior Katherine Dykstra have used their experience and athletic ability to create a calming effect for a team with high expectations.

The 13th-ranked Badgers, who finished 26-5 last season, play Western Carolina Friday night in the first of three games they will play at the Kentucky Classic in Lexington, Ky. They will face Kentucky and Pittsburgh on Saturday. Kentucky is coached by Craig Skinner, who is a former UW assistant coach.

"They've experienced a good preseason but until a weak area is exposed, you don't totally know where to go for things. This will be a good test for us because there are a couple of good teams in the tournament," said Waite, who will be starting his 10th season at Wisconsin and is already the program's all-time winningest coach.

Despite the changes to a 6-2 system that employs two setters, Waite is expecting the Badgers to produce similar results to those of his best teams that played the more familiar 5-1 -- or one-setter -- system.

"We want people on the court who can serve-receive well and put up some big numbers defensively for us. You need people who can terminate so we need attackers at all three front-row positions who can get the job done for us on a regular basis. We need the setting situation that can make the hitters great and people the players want to do great things for,'' Waite said.

The setting will be handled by 5-foot-10 redshirt sophomore Nikki Klingsporn and 6-1 freshman Janelle Gabrielsen.

Klingsporn, who is from Oakdale, Minn., was the understudy to Jackie Simpson last season and played just enough to prove she was capable of taking her place. Gabrielsen, who is from Menomonee Falls, is equally as intriguing because of her gifts as an attacker that will allow her to play on the front row when she isn't setting.

"This is truly the first time in my career I have gone with this offense because we're confident both Nikki and Nelli can really help us," said Waite. "And it helps us put a bigger front row in if we take one or both of the setters out of the front row and put in bigger blockers."