DENTON - If there was any doubt that the 2015 season was approaching, that doubt quickly faded on Monday morning as North Texas volleyball gathered for a 6 a.m. weight session. Up before the sun, the team would go through four physical workouts on the day, signaling the official start to the volleyball season.

The morning-to-night practice marathon followed the Mean Green's official report to campus on Sunday afternoon. Dubbed "Report Day," team members held their first meeting of the year, met with compliance officials, took team pictures and collected plenty of fresh gear for the season ahead.

North Texas returns nine letterwinners and five players that started for the Mean Green in 2014, including lone senior Carnae Dillard, Conference USA's preseason player of the year. The team will also add seven newcomers to the mix in 2015, making the Mean Green one of the youngest teams in C-USA.

NT still has a little more than two weeks to prepare for its first official action of the season, a two-day trip to Missouri's Tiger Invitational. North Texas will face Winthrop on Aug. 28, before taking on North Dakota State and the hosting Tigers on Aug. 29.

Mean Green Sports caught up with head coach Andrew Palileo and the team's captains - senior Carnae Dillard and junior Amy Henard - to get their thoughts on the start of camp and what this group is focusing on so early in the season.

To keep up with North Texas volleyball throughout the year, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vine.

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