Jan. 31, 2008

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's tennis team opens its spring season Sunday as the Lakers host NCAA Division III No. 14 Carnegie-Mellon. The team is playing its final season as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) before moving to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) for 2008-09 and is also playing at a new home facility -- Pennbriar Athletic Club.

Mercyhurst advanced to the NCAA playoffs a year ago, but Mariano Fava, the team's No. 1 player and the school's Senior Male Athlete of the Year, graduated, as did No. 2 player Lee Michael Marnik. Those two paired up to go 23-1 at No. 1 doubles a year ago.

Under head coach Ray Yost, the Mercyhurst men's tennis team is a talented but youthful squad. The team lost both of its fall matches but No. 2 singles player Mateusz Przybysz did not compete in either of those matches. With freshman Tim Hansson playing at the top of the lineup, the Lakers should be competitive.

Following those two, the rest of the lineup is still being finalized. In the fall, Mijo Cotic played above the rest, followed by Adam Marnik, Alfredo Mortensen, Ronald Heurich and Kyle King.

Mercyhurst's 2008 schedule features seven conference matches prior to the GLIAC Tournament April 19-20 in Midland, Mich. The Lakers will also play six matches over spring break in Hilton Head Island, S.C. and Savannah, Ga.