WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Just two short weeks ago, Venera Flores-Stafford couldn't have been any more excited heading into the 2012 season.
 
"Everyone came in focused and ready to go," the ninth-year head coach said. "Everything was going really well and then we had injuries. We're managing that now."
 
Returning juniors Shelbi Stewart and Brandi Flores are dealing with leg and shoulder injuries respectively while incoming transfers Beatriz Villalba (outside hitter) and Courtney Haney (setter/outside hitter) are out fighting abdominal and leg injuries while freshman defensive specialist Scout Wonsang was also bit by the injury bug.
 
So the Mustangs will enter the fall a bit shorthanded at the season opening Rattler-Hilltopper Classic in San Antonio and Austin this weekend.
 
MSU opens with a pair of matches against host St. Mary's (Texas) at 11 a.m. on Friday before taking on Southeastern Oklahoma State at 5 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena.
 
Midwestern closes out tournament play Saturday at Recreation and Convocation Center on the campus of St. Edward's University.
 
The Mustangs take on the host Hilltoppers at 11 a.m. before facing Southwestern Oklahoma State at 5 p.m.
 
Here is a position-by-position breakdown.
 
Middle Blocker
 
Midwestern State returns a pair of letter winners in the middle led by 2011 All-Lone Star Conference honorable mention pick Caitlin Wallace.
 
The junior from Amarillo ranked among conference leaders with 2.48 kills per set with a stellar .297 attack percentage while averaging 0.67 blocks per set.
 
"She has developed so much from when she was a freshman to now," Flores-Stafford said. "She'll be one of the top middles in the LSC. She's worked very hard to do that."
 
Sophomore Kasey Decker, a 6-footer from Austin, stepped in and played a big role for the Mustangs after All-LSC performer Miranda Byrd suffered a season ending injury late in the year.
 
"That was a turning point for her getting valuable experience last year," Flores-Stafford said. "She has worked hard in the offseason and I'm looking forward to seeing how she develops."
 
Flores-Stafford is also looking for a significant contribution from junior transfer Michelle Blount out of North Central Texas College.
 
"She is new to the Lone Star but she will surprise people," she said. "I'm so excited we have her."
 
Outside Hitters
 
Midwestern State's outside hitting corps resembles more of a MASH unit heading into the season which tempers the expectations of a very capable group.
 
"All are very talented," Flores-Stafford said. "I'm excited about what they can do on the court. We'll be very strong if we can get healthy."
 
Junior transfer Beatriz Villalba is the leader of the group after transferring in from Eastern Arizona.
 
"Beatriz is very powerful and strong," Flores-Stafford said. "If she sees a hole, she's going to try to hit it."
 
Returning junior Shelbi Stewart averaged 2.44 kills per set with a .243 attack percentage a season ago as a very efficient option.
 
Brandi Flores, another returning junior, averaged 1.22 kills and 2.79 digs per set after moving into a starting role midway through the 2011 campaign.
 
"Shelbi swings very hard and is very consistent player for us," Flores-Staff. "Brandi has worked hard to improve her foot work over the summer."
 
With the injury to junior transfer setter/outside hitter Courtney Haney (North Central Texas College), middle blocker Kasey Decker will spend time at the opposite hitter spot.
 
Setters
 
Injuries have thrust sophomore Kristan Aduddell into the full-time setting role this season after she paced the team with 5.70 assists per set out of the 6-2 system in 2011.
 
"She is going to be tested this year both physically and emotionally as a leader," Flores-Stafford said. "I definitely think she can step up to that. We've increased her leadership role on the team and she's done a good job."
 
The Mustangs had hoped to employ a 6-2 system this season with the addition of Courtney Haney, who is fighting a leg injury. Haney played all-around at North Central Texas College last season.
 
Senior Taylor Parker provides another option at the setter position.
 
"Taylor is very aggressive and can present a lot problems for the opponent," Flores-Stafford said.
 
Defensive Specialists

Casey Fletcher leads the Midwestern State defensive effort in 2012.
 
The sophomore from Eddy, Texas averaged 1.15 digs per set last season while backing up All-America libero Kiara Jordan.
 
"Defensively, we'll be strong," Flores-Stafford said. "I'm definitely looking to see what Casey can bring as a sophomore."
 
Fletcher is flanked by a pair of solid and experienced back row specialists in senior Taylor Parker and Mallory Goon.
 
"We'll look to Mallory and Taylor for leadership," Flores-Stafford said. "They are very capable and we're definitely happy to have them back."