"We’re expecting good things," reported Frantz. "We could be as good as, or better than, any team we’ve had in the history of the program. I’m not saying we’ll win a Midwest Conference title, but we should be close. We’ve got some ground to make up on (conference favorite) Grinnell. They’re still the team to beat."

Frantz’ optimism is due in large part to the addition of freshman Amy Unzicker (Morton, Ill./Morton) who will likely take over the No. 1 singles spot. Unzicker, who will also play soccer this fall for the Scots, bolsters an already strong lineup.

"Amy has played a lot of quality matches including some club tennis," praised Frantz. "She brings a high level of play to us immediately and is a serious contender for the No. 1 spot. If that happens, last year’s Nos. 1, 2 and 3 players would drop to Nos. 2, 3 and 4. All of them were very competitive last year, so the new alignment would make them even better by playing down a spot."

Cassie Frantz (Macomb, Ill./Macomb), the coach’s daughter, would likely move to the No. 2 singles spot in the new lineup, a move that would make her even more dangerous. The senior has been in the No. 1 spot the last two years and is tied for the career wins record. A study-abroad assignment last spring took her away from the spring season, but she is expected to regain form in the early season.

Kimi Wegner (Dixon, Ill./Dixon) experienced some "growing pains" last season after a successful high school career and coach Frantz expects his talented sophomore to lock up No. 3 singles. Wegner, playing primarily at No. 2 last season, played in numerous tight matches and Frantz expects that experience, plus moving to No. 3, to propel her to a successful season in 2008.

Last year’s No. 3, Brittany Donnelly (Metamora, Ill./Metamora), should see even more success after moving to the No. 4 singles position. The senior is tied with Frantz for the most career victories and should add to that total this season with a "powerful" baseline game.

"Brittany has never played below No. 3 singles," said Frantz. "This year’s move to No. 4 isn’t a reflection on Brittany’s play by any means. It’s a reflection of the strength of the team. I expect Brittany to dominate at No. 4."

Senior Maddy Ethington (Orland Hills, Ill./Andrew) was known early in her career as a doubles specialist, but her singles game has improved enough to slate her as the No. 5 player. While the other Scots were moved down one position, Ethington enters the season playing the highest position of her career.

While Frantz is set with his top five positions, the final spot is "wide open." Juniors Rachel Bognar (Kewanee, Ill./Kewanee), Sarah McLinden (Chicago, Ill./Queen of Peace), Kayla Seyller (Somonauk, Ill./Geneseo); sophomore Valerie Koopman (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) and freshman Julie Battcher (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) are vying for what Frantz calls it a "great opportunity" to crack the lineup.

The Scots doubles combinations should be improved, too. Frantz and Donnelly will again be paired at No. 1 with hopes of capturing the Scots’ first MWC doubles title since 1979. Unzicker and Wegner will form a formidable combination at No. 2 with the expectation they could be a team to be reckoned with for the next three years. Ethington is waiting for someone to distinguish themselves from the pool of five players to join her at No. 3 doubles.

The Scots will play a grueling early season schedule, including a pair of eight team tournaments at Western Illinois and Quincy universities in hopes that competition will have them battle-ready for conference play.

"We wanted to play a high level of teams at the start," claimed Frantz. "We’re hoping that will propel us into the conference season and help us down the road."

That road might just lead to the first league title in school history.