May 2, 2006

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst tennis teams concluded play in 2006. Both teams finished #9 in the Great Lakes Region and just missed invitaions to the NCAA playoffs.

The men ended the season with a 10-10 mark as the 9th ranked team in the NCAA Great Lakes Region. The Lakers ended their two year streak of making the NCAA Regional Championships. The Lakers ended in a 6th place tie in the GLIAC with Wayne State. The region's #1 ranked team, Drury University, is ranked #2 in the Nation while GLIAC Champion Northwood comes in #2 in the Region and 10th in the Nation.

Returning senior, Mariano Fava, was voted the conference player of the year, while the team's #2 player and Second Team All-GLIAC, Lee Michael Marnik, will also be returning next year. With a strong recruiting class the Lakers will be looking forward to the 2006/07 season.

The women ended their two-year streak as one of the region's top eight teams, as they fell to #9 and just missed the NCAA Regional Championships. Northwood University, the nation's #12 team and #1 in the region, will host the regional championships. The Lakers ended the year with an 11-10 record and a 5th place GLIAC finish.

Natalie Paparella, First Team All-GLIAC, will be the only graduating player, as the team will return its other top six starters. Head coach Ray Yost will welcome a very strong recruiting class for fall pre-season camp on Wednesday, August 23.