By: Cody Wright
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth women's tennis team opens the 2026 spring season this week looking to continue its recent run of postseason appearances.
Last season, the Pirates earned a spot in the Northwest Conference Tournament for the second consecutive season and fourth time in the last five years after finishing with a 10-10 overall record and 7-7 Northwest Conference mark.
Head coach Rachel Aldridge, now in her 12th season at the helm, knows what's required to keep that momentum going.
"Now that we've experienced some success, we know what variables we can control to pursue in our training," she said. "Our efforts are focused there."
Aside from losing first-team all-conference player Gracie Smyley to graduation, the Pirates bring back each of their significant contributors from a season ago. With the volume of experience returning, each player is poised to play a role in the teams' success this season.
2025 NWC Rookie of the Year and first team All-NWC honoree Faith Kert headlines that returning group, likely finding herself at or near the top of the lineup again this season.
Juniors Paige Oliver, Clara Todd, Jordan Turner-Esposito and Audrey Judson each return to the lineup. Hannah Wells joins Kert in the sophomore class and Olivia Corbett returns as the lone senior on the roster.
The lone newcomer on the team is first-year Josie Kellogg, who played varsity tennis at nearby Mead High School. "Having a team with a lot of experience and talent helps train new talent like Josie even more efficiently," Aldridge said. "She has more examples of what good competing looks like, and she has the talent to step into that well."
The depth of this year's team will bring a level of competitiveness that Aldridge hopes will raise the bar.
"This team could be playing in the conference championship if we can compete well this season."
The chase begins with a non-conference road match against Lewis-Clark State on Saturday, February 7th. The Bucs will then host Eastern Washington in an exhibition on February 13th before NWC action begins on February 14th at Whitman.
