Feb. 2, 2004

NEW YORK, N.Y. - NEW YORK, N.Y. - The St. John's men's tennis team took a break from match play competition to compete in the Columbia Classic this weekend on the campus of Columbia University.

Sophomore Aurelio Di Zazzo (Ris-Organgis, France) took home the Singles "A" consolation bracket title on Sunday defeating Harry Cicma of Rutgers 6-1, 6-0. On Friday, Di Zazzo dropped a tough opening match to Jimmy Moore of Columbia, 6-7 (6), 7-5, 7-6 (4), to fall into the consolation bracket. He followed on Saturday with two victories over Erez Cohen of Manhattan and Adams of Rutgers to move onto the finals.

Newcomer Claudio Holim advanced to the Singles "B" semifinals before falling to Columbia's Michael Accordino, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. In his two opening matches, Holim downed Marty Moore of Columbia, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 and Yale's Neil Tolaney, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. Freshman Louis Desmarteaux (Thornhill, Ontario) and sophomore Morgan Bauer (New York, N.Y.) also competed in the Singles "B" bracket, with Desmarteaux winning his opening match, before falling in the second round.

The Red Storm return to match play on February 20, when they travel down to Norfolk, Va. St. John's will take on Old Dominion at 5 p.m. and follow with Norfolk State on February 21 at 9 a.m.