April 2, 2008

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- On Thursday, the Marist men's tennis team will put their undefeated MAAC record on the line when they host defending MAAC Champion, Manhattan, at 4:30 p.m. at the East Campus Tennis Pavilion.

Marist (5-4, 3-0 MAAC) is coming off a convincing, 5-1 win over Fairfield on Tuesday in their first conference match of the spring. The Red Foxes shutout Rider and Siena in the fall for their first two conference wins of the season.

The Red Foxes were picked to finish first in the conference in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, but they have not been able to beat Manhattan in four years.

"Seeding's are what other people think of you," Marist head coach Tim Smith said. "Results are what you think of yourself."

Marist is confident as a team but knows this is a big match if they want to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in Smith's tenure. Their five trips are the most in MAAC men's tennis history, but Manhattan has won the last four conference titles.

"We have been preparing and practicing hard," Smith said. "We are excited to play this match, and continue making strides toward our ultimate goal, which is a MAAC Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth."