SPOKANE, Wash. - For many years three schools have had a stranglehold on the top three spots at the Northwest Conference men's tennis tournament. And once again Whitman College (#1), Pacific Lutheran University (#2) and Linfield College (#3) are the top thee seeds at this weekend's NWC tournament, which will take place at the Yakima Tennis Club and is being hosted by PLU. But fourth seeded Whitworth is ready to try to become the first school to break through against that triumvirate.

Donnell has a winning singles record in 2008

Click here for PLU's tournament results site.

The Pirates are 13-10 overall this season and finished 10-6 in the NWC regular season standings. As the fourth seed, Whitworth will take on 5th-seeded Willamette (11-9 overall, 8-8 NWC) in a first round match on Friday at 12:30 p.m. The Pirates defeated the Bearcats twice this season by the slimmest 5-4 margin each time.

The winner of Friday's match will take on top-seeded Whitman (21-9, 16-0) in a semifinal on Saturday.

The Pirates have been anchored at the top of the singles ladder by first year players Josh Steele and Brian Elliott. Seniors Ed Anegon and Scott Donnell have provided leadership and stability. Donnell (11-9) and freshman Joe Wales (11-10) have winning singles records for the Pirates this season. Whitworth has been especially strong in doubles play, posting a 28-20 record in doubles matches against NWC competition.

The winner of this weekend's tournament will receive the conference's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Division III tournament in May.