Though classes at Creighton don't officially begin until Wednesday, chemistry class is already in session for the volleyball team.

Coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth said Thursday at Creighton's media day that the Jays have been working hard to build strong team chemistry this season - something they didn't have last year when they finished fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference and ended their season with an opening-round loss in the conference tournament.

"Last season, we didn't blend together very well as a team," said sophomore setter Michelle Sicner, who earned MVC All-Freshman team honors in 2011. "This season, I think we're coming in as a stronger team with our chemistry, so hopefully that will take us far."

Creighton, which plays its Blue-White Scrimmage at 6 p.m. Friday at D.J. Sokol Arena, has a real opportunity to achieve its goals as it returns 76.3 percent of its starts, 66.2 percent of its kills, 73.7 percent of its blocks and 92.