April 18, 2006

BAY CITY, Mich. - Sophomore Mariano Fava of Mercyhurst College was named the 2006 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) men's tennis "Player of the Year" by the league's head coaches in conjunction with all-conference balloting. Fava was joined on the All-GLIAC squad by Lee Michael Marnik, who was selected to the second team.

Fava is the first Mercyhurst player in school history to be named GLIAC Player of the Year. He posted a 16-6 overall record at No. 1 singles this season, tallying the same 16-6 record at No. 1 doubles with partner Dan Hersh. Fava, a native of San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina, in September became the first Mercyhurst player in over 15 years to make the quarterfinals in the Men's Regional ITA Championships. He won two of three singles matches and all three doublesmatches at the GLIAC Team Championships this season.

He has a 32-12 career singles mark in two seasons and is 34-11 in doubles action. Fava was also named to the first team last season. Head Coach Ray Yost was delighted at the attention Fava received: "This award recognizes Mariano's fine play and leadership throughout the year. Mariano is one of the most-liked students on campus and has been a tremendous addition to the tennis program. To receive this type of respect from the GLIAC coaches means a great deal."

Marnik, a junior, earned his second consecutive second team selection. He has a 13-8 record in singles matches this season and tallied a 16-7 mark in doubles action. For his career, he has a 44-25 singles mark and is 44-25 in doubles play.

The coaches named Ferris State rookie Brenton Bacon the conference's "Freshman of the Year," while Northwood University's skipper Zane Colestock was tabbed the "Coach of the Year."

Mercyhurst is 10-10 overall and 3-4 in the GLIAC. The Lakers placed sixth at the conference championships and are currently awaiting word on a potential NCAA berth.