SPOKANE, Wash. - For the last two seasons the Whitworth men's tennis team has been able to earn the unofficial title of "Best of the Rest." While Whitman, PLU and Linfield have been the dominant three teams in NWC men's tennis for the better part of a decade, the Pirates have claimed fourth place in the Northwest Conference each of the last two years.

Can the Pirates break into that top three? Much will be learned this weekend when Whitworth hosts Linfield on Saturday morning.

This year's team is a solid mix of returning veterans and new talent. Ed Anegon (Jr., Lewiston, Idaho) has returned to his place at the top of the lineup. The Pirates wait on the status of Ben Works (Jr., Medford, Ore.), who played #2 singles last year and teamed with Anegon for a strong #1 doubles team. But personal issues may keep Works out of the lineup this season.

Michael Carlson (Sr., Stanwood, Wash.), who had a winning singles record last season, has moved into the #2 singles spot, followed in the ladder by Scott Bourne (So., Shoreline, Wash.). Whitworth is also glad to have back in the lineup Scott Donnell (Jr., Oak Harbor, Wash.), who posted an 8-7 singles mark in 2005, but was hurt before the start of last season and didn't play.

The final two starting singles positions have been filled so far by Austin Abelar (Fr., Las Olivas, Calif.), Colin Storm (Sr., Spokane, Wash.) and Kellen Oetgen (Fr., Bellingham, Wash.).

Curran Scott (Jr., Spokane, Wash.) and Trevor Strang (Jr., Portland, Ore.) are providing solid depth at this point.

Whitworth opened the season last weekend with a pair of matches in Lewiston, followed by the Northwest Conference opener at Whitman. Whitworth lost 7-2 to NCAA D-II Montana State Billings and 9-0 to NAIA Lewis-Clark State on Friday. Storm and Oetgen earned a win at #3 doubles and Storm won 6-4, 6-4 at #6 singles for the Bucs' only points of the day.

Whitman, ranked in the top 20 nationally, proved how strong it will be this season when its "B" team defeated Whitworth 9-0 in Walla Walla on Saturday. The Missionaries' varsity squad was in Tacoma.

The Pirates will look for their first win of the season when they host Willamette on Friday afternoon and Linfield on Saturday morning. Both matches will take place at North Park RC.