Men's Tennis Begins Quest For Second Straight NCAA Tournament Berth Thursday Afternoon As Chieftains Open 2005 Campaign By Hosting Northeast-10 Foe Assumption

March 15, 2005

The 2005 Stonehill College men’s tennis team faces the incredible challenge of replacing three all-Northeast-10 Conference performers from the school’s first-ever NCAA qualifying squad, including Northeast-10 Player of the Year Jack Granato ’04. While some might view this spring as a season to rebuild, Head Coach Peter Miller disagrees, “At this point there is uncertainty as to who will be playing where, but we have a very talented nucleus of returning players which gives us something strong to build on.” Senior Kevin Charland (North Scituate, R.I./Scituate) has been named captain for the 2005 campaign as the Chieftains look to remain in the thick of the Northeast-10 and NCAA regional chase.

Here is how things are shaping up for the Stonehill this spring:

SINGLES. Sophomore Matthew Grabala (Bristol, Conn./Kingswood-Oxford) is the team’s top returnee. A 2004 all-Northeast-10 selection in both singles and doubles, Grabala missed the fall season with a knee injury but is now healthy and will claim a top position for Stonehill this spring. Junior Matt Hansen (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) and sophomore Andy DeVita (Milford, Mass./Milford) are also all-conference returnees who will be key contributors in the singles matches. Meanwhile, Charland, who brings veteran experience and talent to the team, will compete with sophomore Matthew Gudernatch (Tolland, Conn./Tolland) for key singles positions. Junior Michael Pellagi (Dedham, Mass./Dedham) joins the team this spring after a solid fall outing and hopes to play a big role in singles while freshmen John McGaffigan (Dedham, Mass./Dedham) and Eric Anderson (Marlborough, Conn./RHAM) hope to contribute in singles as well.

DOUBLES. Sophomore Al Santosuosso (Reading, Mass./Reading) will see action primarily as a doubles player along with freshmen Michael Allen (Norwell, Mass./Norwell) and John Hurley (Stormville, N.Y./Carmel). While Coach Miller solidifies his duos, he will also call upon the abilities of Charland, DeVita, Hansen and Pellagi as he finds the combinations that will best help the Chieftains to victory.

SCHEDULE. The Chieftains kick off the spring schedule once again in Hilton Head, S.C. at the Tennis Action Classic. The schedule then picks up with Northeast-10 Conference play, including matches with regionally ranked powerhouse Assumption and conference contenders Bentley, Franklin Pierce and Bryant. While Miller understands the talent his Chieftain team faces, he is confident that his team has the ability to remain among the tops in the conference and region.