CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team will take a break from Horizon League play this weekend, as the Vikings are set to host Butler and Duquesne. CSU will open the weekend with a 7:00 p.m. contest against Butler on Friday (April 4), and will then host Duquesne at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday (April 6).
Friday, April 4 // Butler // 7:00 p.m.
Paramount Tennis Club // 31550 Viking Parkway // Westlake, Ohio
Live Results // Fans that are unable to attend Friday's match will be able to follow the action online, with live results available on the men's tennis schedule page at CSUVikings.com
Sunday, April 6 // Duquesne // 11:00 a.m.
Paramount Tennis Club // 31550 Viking Parkway // Westlake, Ohio
Live Results // Fans that are unable to attend Sunday's match will be able to follow the action online, with live results available on the men's tennis schedule page at CSUVikings.com
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Bellutti Closing In On 20 Wins: After winning nine of his last 10 singles matches, Manuel Bellutti is closing in on a 20-win season, entering the weekend with an 18-9 overall record. Bellutti would become the second Viking to reach 20 wins this season, marking the sixth time that CSU has had multiple 20-win players in the same season over the past eight years.
Four Vikings Stay Perfect In League Play: Following last weekend's contest at Detroit, four Vikings now own a perfect 3-0 record in Horizon League play including; Manuel Bellutti, Matt Kuelker, Nolan Marks, and Joe VanMeter. CSU is one of just two league teams to have multiple players with a perfect record in league singles play, and the only team with four players still undefeated.
…Kuelker/Marks Perfect In Doubles: The CSU doubles team of Matt Kuelker and Nolan Marks also owns a perfect 3-0 record in league play, with all three victories coming at No. 2 doubles. Kuelker and Marks own an 8-6 record this season, and a 15-12 doubles record on their career, which is just shy of making the CSU career doubles wins list.
Vikings Notch 100th Singles Win: Last time out Cleveland State picked up its 100th singles win of the season, as the Vikings now own a 100-81 record in singles play this year. During the spring season, CSU owns a 59-37 singles record with three Vikings reaching double-digit wins – Matt Kuelker (14), Manuel Bellutti (12), and Joe VanMeter (10).
Kuelker Extends Win Streak: Entering the weekend Matt Kuelker has won 11 straight singles matches and has a team-best 21-8 record on the year. During his 11-match win streak, Kuelker has dropped just two sets, defeating nine of his opponents in straight sets.
…VanMeter Follows Suit: Joe VanMeter also enters the weekend on a singles win streak, as he has now won nine straight matches following his victory at Detroit. During this win streak VanMeter has notched eight straight-set victories, playing at No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 singles. On the season, VanMeter owns a 15-11 overall record including a 10-3 mark during the spring.
Home Sweet Home: Cleveland State will have the home court advantage over the final three weeks of the regular season, as CSU will play three of its last five matches at home. So far this season the Vikings are 4-1 at home, earning wins over Youngstown State, IPFW, Oberlin, and Wright State. Under head coach Brian Etzkin, the Vikings own a 67-25 record in home contests.
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The Opponents:
Butler enters Friday's contest with an 8-5 record on the season and has won three of its last five matchups. The Bulldogs have won just one contest on the road so far this season, but have already notched victories over two Horizon League teams (YSU & Valpo). Under Etzkin, the Vikings are 6-7 against Butler, but have won six straight over the past five years.
Duquesne currently stands at 12-4 on the season and has won four straight matches entering the weekend. The Dukes, who defeated YSU and fell to Detroit earlier this season, will play Butler prior to Sunday's contest against CSU. Over the past 11 years Cleveland State has notched a 6-2 record against Duquesne.
