May 11, 2002

Cambridge, Mass. - The Marist College men's tennis team dropped a 4-0 decision to host Harvard in the first round of the 2002 NCAA Men's Tennis Championship, at the Beren Tennis Center, this afternoon. It was the Red Foxes fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, having won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship for the fourth straight time two weeks ago at the United States Tennis Center.

The Red Foxes were leading in the #1 doubles match in early action, but play was suspended after the Crimson captured wins of 8-2 and 8-0 in the #2 and #3 doubles contests, giving Harvard a 1-0 lead.

Pat Dahnert, who made his fourth NCAA Tournament appearance, gave the Red Foxes their best effort of the afternoon in the number six singles match. He fell in two sets to Chris Chiou, but captured five games in those two sets, falling 6-4 and 6-1. Michael Sowter also had a strong showing in the number two singles for Marist, falling 6-3 and 6-0. Viktor Sapezhnikov fell 6-0, 6-0 in the number five singles match, giving Harvard the needed four points to capture the team match.

Pat Hofer, at number one singles, David Slater, at number three singles, and Martin Aldorsson, at number five singles all had their matches suspended after the completion of the other three singles contest.

Marist has won four straight MAAC Championships without losing a single match, going 48-0 during that stretch. Hofer was named the Dr. Joseph Grassi Award Winner, for most outstanding player at the championship for the second straight time, and head coach Tim Smith took home MAAC Coach of the Year honors.