SPOKANE, Wash. - It is time for a makeover for the Whitworth University women's tennis team. Afterall the Pirates graduated three of their top four players from a 2007 team that finished fifth in the Northwest Conference.

But head coach Jo Wagstaff has the pieces and the tools to turn the makeover into something special. She has a new indoor facility at the Scotford Tennis Center that has allowed for year-round play. And she has a roster of young talent that could be pieced together into a formidible line up.

"New players will be playing in some of the top spots," said Wagstaff, who is in her 24th year leading the women's tennis program at Whitworth. "It remains to be seen what impact they'll have, but based on their experience I predict they'll be very successful."

While new players may fill key roles, it will be veterans like Linh Aven (Jr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Justine Hays (Jr., Yakima, Wash.) and Taryn Smith (Sr., Ellensburg, Wash.) who set the tone.

"Our returning players are making the new players feel welcome, while bringing their own talent and improvement to their game since last season," said Wagstaff.

Rachel Burns (Fr., Longview, Wash.), Alexandria Harrington (Fr., Modesto, Calif.) and Katherine Staudinger (Fr., Yakima, Wash.) will have an immediate impact on 2008 as each challenges for a top three spot in the ladder. Aven played number two singles last season, while Smith played five and Hays six.

Angela Anegon (So., Lewiston, Idaho), Christine Kirkpatrick (Fr., Sumner, Wash.) and Stephanie Reardon (So., Walla Walla, Wash.) give the Pirates solid depth to work with.

Whitworth kicks off the 2008 season in earnest this weekend with three home Northwest Conference matches. The Pirates host Pacific on Friday, George Fox on Saturday and Whitman on Sunday.