It's a pretty important role, which Dan Fleser of the Knoxville News Sentinel delved into on Sunday. While coaches make their living being vocal, the words of a teammate have a different effect, Bjorklund said.

"There's a complete difference," she said. "I remember when I was a freshman, I would have coach on me, but the things I remember most are when I had Candace Parker or Alexis Hornbuckle or Nicky Anosike, those seniors. When they told me something, it impacts you more. They're the ones out there on the court with you. They're my peers. Because they're on the court with you, it's just different."

Bjorklund vows the leadership will be different this year, even without any seniors. And she won't be the only leader, either.

She praised fellow juniors Sydney Smallbone and Vicki Baugh as leaders, as well as sophomore guards Shekinna Stricklen and Briana Bass.

Bjorklund also knows that having more than one voice on the court helps, too.

"I think Alex Fuller experienced that a lot (last season) and didn't have myself step up as much or any of the other juniors," she said. "If we have it spread across the board where we're all holding each other accountable, we'll be a more powerful team."