SPOKANE, Wash. - With a solid mixture of returning veterans and incoming talent, the Whitworth College women's tennis team hopes to take a step forward in the Northwest Conference this season. The Pirates, who finished fifth in the Northwest Conference last year, return three starting singles players and three other players with significant experience playing singles and doubles. Added to the mix is perhaps the strongest incoming freshman class in head coach Jo Wagstaff's 22 years leading the team.

:"The returning players have worked hard in the off season to raise their level of play and the freshmen are coming in very experienced," said Wagstaff. "Even with losing last season's top three to graduation, we think we have the talent to climb a couple of spots in this conference from last year."

Katie Troxell (Jr., Fort Collins, Colo.), Rachael McCoola (Jr., Durango, Colo.) and Sandy Fujitani (Sr., Kula, Hawaii) were the Pirates' primary starters in the fourth, fifth and sixth singles, respectively, last season.

While each has improved, those three will be challenged for the top spots on the ladder by incoming freshmen Jamie Kneese (Montrose, Colo.) and Linh Aven (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.).

Returnees Taryn Smith (So., Ellensburg, Wash.), Leah Vaughn (So., Spokane, Wash.) and Betsy Johnson (Silverton, Ore.) should continue to play key roles, either as spot starters on the singles ladder, or as regular doubles players. Chelsea Sweetin (Fr., Lake Forest Park, Wash.), a doubles runner up at state last year, gives the Bucs added strength in the doubles matches.

Paige Townsend (So., Nine Mile Falls, Wash.) and Justine Hays (Fr., Yakima, Wash.), who have experience as individuals at high school state tournaments, give the Pirates great depth in the roster.

Wagstaff believes that the mix of veterans and new players will mesh quickly to create a successful season.

"The team is already showing great unity, even with so many new faces," she said.

Whitworth will open the season February 17 and 18 by hosting George Fox and Lewis & Clark in a couple of Northwest Conference matches. They will be played at North Park RC in Spokane. The Pirates will go on to play every NWC team twice, once at home and once away. There will also be a trip to California over spring break to take on three non-conference opponents. The NWC Tournament returns to Yakima, Washington on April 21-22.