How does a coach keep a machine rolling with all new parts? Whitworth College volleyball coach Steve Rupe will try to answer that riddle in 2006 as he rebuilds a team that lost all six starters and the top libero to graduation from the previous season.

Rupe believes that the team traditions established by older generations will play a key role in continuing the success of a team that won 22 matches and advanced to the NCAA Regional finals in 2005.

"We are family first and foremost, supporting and challenging each other," said Rupe, who is 124-58 in his 9th season leading the Pirates. "We strive to work harder than everyone else. From that comes a mental and physical toughness that allows us to compete for a conference title year in and year out."

Seniors Angie Florence (OH, Yucaipa, Calif. - Yucaipa), Tamra Stark (San Diego, Calif. - Mt. Carmel) and Nicole Vander Meulen (RS, Mt. Vernon, Wash. – Mt. Vernon Christian) will be looked to for the leadership to continue the team’s run of recent success.

"All of our seniors have experienced the success first hand and know what is expected of a player in our program," said Rupe. "They are motivated to teach the younger players what Pirate volleyball is all about."

ew players will likely riddle the lineup when Whitworth opens the season on September 1st against UC Santa Cruz.

Two newcomers are battling to start at setter. Jenna Hays (RS So., Bonners Ferry, Idaho - Bonners Ferry) has one year of collegiate experience after transferring from Montana-Western. Jena Sarrat (Fr., Boise, Idaho - Timberline) was a Second Team All-State selection as a senior. The competition has been close enough in practice that Rupe is considering running a 6-2, or two setter, offense.

On the outside, Florence is one of the few easy decisions Rupe has to make for a starting spot. She averaged 1.7 kills per game last fall, and has been a regular off of the bench since her freshman season.

Transfer Nikki Bardwell (So., Colville, Wash. - Colville) gained experience as an outside hitter at North Idaho College last fall. Jill Solbrack (So., Colfax, Wash. - Colfax) is in her second season as a Pirate.

Across the court on the right side, Vander Meulen is the expected starter, but she has been battling injury during fall camp. Stark certainly knows the system as a senior and could move into that spot. Incoming freshman Caitlin Risk (Colorado Springs, Colo. - Cheyenne Mountain) could make an immediate impact after she captained her high school team to a sixth place finish in the state tournament last year.

It is in the middle where Rupe will have to make his toughest decisions about starters and playing time. Stark, Jeri Hedlund (Jr., Tonasket, Wash. - Tonasket) and Amy Newton (RS Jr., Upland, Calif. - Ontario Christian) are all veterans in the program battling for their chance to start. Holly Tomlin (RS So., Kirkland, Wash. - Bellevue Christian) returns to the team after a year away. Incoming freshman Tracy Schwada (Whitefish, Mont. - Whitefish) led her team to a state title as a junior and senior.

Cassie Moore (Jr., Spokane, Wash. - Mead) will most likely move into the starting spot at libero. She has the most match experience from last season, appearing in 25 contests.

Holly Ridings (Jr., Spokane, Wash. - Shadle Park) will play volleyball for the first time in addition to her role on the basketball team. She and sophomore Bethany Castilleja (Kennewick, Wash. - Kamiakin) will battle for duty as defensive specialists when the Pirate lineup calls for one.

Despite the fact that all the starting parts will be new, Rupe believes that the results can be similar to the past. A past that includes three conference titles in the last five years.

"We expect to continue with our success and we want to challenge for a conference title," he said. "We feel that we can."