Minic and Szpakowski Team for Flight Two Championship

NEWPORT, R.I. (Sept. 17, 2001) - The Franklin Pierce men's tennis team tied for second place at the Salve Regina Grass Court Tournament held at the Tennis Hall of Fame this weekend.

Franklin Pierce tied with Bryant College with ten points, behind winner Stonehill College who totaled 12 points.

The Ravens were led by their No. 2 doubles pairing of sophomoreDarko Minic (Belgrade, Yugoslavia/XII Belgrade Gimnasium) and freshman Marciej Szpakowski (Cutchougue, N.Y./Mattituck) who captured their flight's title with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Stonehill's No. 2 team. The duo advanced to the Championship round with wins over pairings from Wheaton College (10-4) and Springfield College (10-2).

Franklin Pierce's No. 1 doubles pairing of juniors Michael Hoffner (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) and Ricky Sanford (Bridgeport, Conn./Bunnell) were runners-up at their flight, dropping a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 decision to Stonehill. They recorded wins over Wheaton (10-6) and Bryant (10-7) en route to the finals.