April 14, 2002

Poughkeepsie, NY---The Marist College men's tennis team topped Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opponent Niagara University, 7-0, in a match held at the Hudson Valley Tennis Club. Going into this afternoon's contest, both schools were unbeaten in league play. The Red Foxes are now 16-7 overall and 9-0 in the MAAC, while the Purple Eagles fell to 16-8 overall and 8-1 in conference play.

The Red Foxes started the contest by clinching the doubles point, claiming victories at number two and three singles. The number two singles team of David Slater (St. Alban's, UK) and Michael Sowter (Perth, Australia) defeated Tom Rees and John Abella, 8-4. At number three doubles Viktor Sapezhnikov (Brooklyn, NY) and Nick Bass (C'sted, St. Croix) won easily over Jason Pope and Kris Hrisovulos, 8-2.

The most challenging match on the afternoon was at number one singles, as Patrick Hofer (Falkenweg, Austria) played two sets, 6-4 and 6-7, and then won the 10-6 tiebreaker to defeat Jonathan Bozanich. At number two singles Sowter earned the win against Mike Kelly, 6-3, 6-2. Slater captured the victory at number three singles over Jason Pope, 6-4, 6-0. At number four singles Martin Aldorsson (Kungsbacka, SWE) topped Tom Rees, 6-2, 6-1. Sapezhnikov won comfortably against Hrisovulous at number five singles, 6-1, 6-1. Patrick Dahnert (Scottsdale, AZ) was victorious at number six singles against Abella, 6-2, 6-2.

The Red Foxes will return to the courts on Friday, April 19th, as they begin play at the 2002 MAAC Championship at the United States Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, NY.