SMU’s Stefanie Kons had 13 assists over the weekend against Prarie View A&M (John Schreiber)

SMU gets its season underway Friday at the Baylor Invitational, and the Mustangs feel no pressure facing the Bears of the Big 12.

The Mustangs are a young squad, with eight of 13 players sophomores or younger. Head coach Lisa Seifert said she has been impressed by the Mustangs’ energy in practice and she has decided all four freshmen on the roster will be in the rotation Friday.

The Mustangs face Baylor at 7 p.m., then take on Lamar and Prairie View A&M ?? both of which the Mustangs beat last season ?? on Saturday. They open their home schedule Wednesday against Texas-Arlington.

“For the first time since my freshman year, I have a super, super positive mindset about this season,” said senior co-captain Natalie Peters. “We’re winning (this weekend) and that’s it. SMU this year is going to turn some heads, and nobody’s going to be expecting it.”

A win over Baylor would likely turn a few heads, much like the Mustangs’ victory on the road last season against traditional Big 12 power Texas Tech did.

The Bears, who beat the Mustangs 3-1 in Moody Coliseum last year, return with junior setter Taylor Barnes, who led the team in service aces last year, and junior middle blocker Anna Breyfoyle, who led with Big 12 with 1.54 blocks per match. The Bears have six freshmen on their roster.

“Most importantly, we need to find our rhythm and find our identity,” Seifert said. “We have new personnel, new captains, and we need to figure out what our rotational strengths are.”

On Monday, Seifert named Peters and sophomore Kathryn Wilkerson co-captains. Peters was second on the team in kills and third in blocks last year, and Wilkerson led the team in double-doubles as a freshman.

Peters, one of two seniors on this year’s squad, said the team has gelled in practice, and she expects it to show this weekend.

“We need to play every point like it’s (the match’s deciding point),” said Peters. “We have nothing to lose playing a Big 12 team. We’re not letting any tips hit the floor.”

“One thing always is our defense. We have to play defense and hold the ball, which means holding our serve and scoring points,” said Seifert.