Contact: Renee Adam
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KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Cleveland State men's tennis team opened the 2012 fall season with a solid performance on day one of the Vredevelt Invitational Friday, posting two doubles wins and four singles victories.
"I thought this was a great first day for us, I saw some really strong play from everyone which is great to see during the first tournament of the year," student assistant coach Yannick Goossenssaid. "We pulled out two solid doubles wins over Notre Dame and won four of six singles matches against Western Michigan. The newcomers both played very well in their first tournament, especially Joe (VanMeter) who picked up two wins for us."
Ali Shabib, Matt Ford and Joe VanMeter led the Vikings on day one, each picking up two victories. During doubles play, Shabib teamed with Niklas Jonsson to earn an 8-6 victory over Notre Dame, while Ford and VanMeter posted an 8-4 win over a Fighting Irish duo.
With the hidden-dual format, CSU faced Western Michigan in singles action Friday evening. Matt Kuelker, VanMeter and Ford each claimed straight set victories, while Shabib earned a three-set win. Kuelker defeated Michael Treis 6-2, 6-2, Ford defeated Stephen Payne 6-2, 6-1 and VanMeter picked up his first collegiate victory over Jim Beckwith (6-4, 6-2). Shabib's victory came over Marc Shideler as he dropped the first set 6-4, then came back to win the second 6-4 and earned a 10-8 win in the final set.
The Vikings will continue play at the Vredevelt Invite tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 15), with doubles action slated for a 10:00 a.m. start and singles play scheduled to start at 11:15 a.m.
Doubles
Shabib/Jonsson (CSU) def. Bandy/Barnard (ND), 8-6
Ford/VanMeter (CSU) def. Fredericka/Sabacinski (ND), 8-4
Montoya (ND)/Carman (XU) def. Marks/Kuelker (CSU), 8-5
Mueck/MacDonald (XU) def. van der Vloet/Jones (CSU), 8-2
Singles
Ross VanderPloeg (WMU) def. Jorg van der Vloet (CSU), 6-2, 6-2
Matt Kuelker (CSU) def. Michael Treis (WMU), 6-2, 6-2
Joe VanMeter (CSU) def. Jim Beckwith (WMU), 6-4, 6-2
Ali Shabib (CSU) def. Marc Shideler (WMU), 4-6, 6-4, 10-8
Andrew Cahn (WMU) def. Niklas Jonsson (CSU), 6-1, 3-6, 10-8
Matt Ford (CSU) def. Stephen Payne (WMU), 6-2, 6-1
Jacob Wilson (ISU) def. Jay Jones (CSU), 6-3, 6-1
Michael Sellitto (ISU) def. Nolan Marks (CSU), 6-3, 6-0
