For a young team with a national championship in its back pocket, the BYU men’s volleyball team will look to senior middle blocker Michael Burke, one of only two returning starters, for leadership toward another national title.

Despite a lack of experience among their starting squad, the Cougars have started toward this goal after demolishing three top-10 opponents at the Outrigger tournament last week. Though the majority of the last year’s starting lineup graduated, Burke said that there was more pressure to win it all last year than this year.

“This year feels like a relief of pressure,” Burke said. “In 2003, we lost some games that they expected us to win, so last year was very demanding. This year we’re proving ourselves all over again.”

Even though the Cougars started off the season ranked in the top five, the squad was recently moved up to No. 1 in the USA Today/CSTV poll rankings.

Burke attributed the team’s early success to team confidence, believing in themselves as a team, and maintaining a good attitude.

“We’re getting good and improving consistency really fast,” Burke said. “But if we don’t continue to work our hardest and continually improve, we’ll be terrible. We’ve got great talent in our players and coaching staff. Our skill and confidence levels are improving real quickly.”

BYU head coach Tom Peterson agreed there is room for improvement for the Cougars.

“Being consistent is our biggest thing right now,” Peterson said. “There’s always progress to be made in every category.”

Peterson did not readily admit that there is only one star player on his roster; instead, he said team unity and balance were vital to a successful season. However, Peterson also said that Burke is the best all-around volleyball player in the country, and looking at the numbers, very few would disagree.

Burke consistently remains at or near the top of the stat sheets in categories such as hitting percentage, blocks, and block assists.

Although the Utah native remains modest despite his impressive inventory of past accomplishments, his long list includes multiple honorable mentions, all-conference selections, and even Rookie of the Year his freshman year at Grossmont College.

The talented squad playing alongside Burke agreed he is a gifted leader and is well deserving of the MVP honors awarded to him after last week’s Outrigger Tournament.

“Ever since I began playing with him four years ago, you could just tell,” senior opposite Casey Patterson said. “He’s really stepped in and taken the leadership role.”

Burke demonstrated his dedication to the team last season after tearing a pectoral muscle, which took him off the courts and into a rigorous rehabilitation schedule. After nearly four months, Burke was back and ready to help his team win the national title.

“Rehab every day was really tough,” Burke said. “But we’ve got great, diligent trainers that helped me come back quick.”

Although Burke is hailed as one of the best college volleyball athletes in the nation, it isn’t easy to find him endorsing himself as such. Despite his many accomplishments, Burke accredits his coaches and teammates for all of the Cougars’ success, which will hopefully include another national title this season.