CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team will return to Horizon League play this weekend, hosting Green Bay in a crucial matchup. The Vikings, who enter the weekend standing at 12-6 overall this season and 3-0 in league play, will host the Phoenix (12-7, 2-0) on Saturday, April 12.
Saturday, April 12 // Green Bay // 3:00 p.m.
Malaga Tennis Center // Chester & E. 21st // CSU Campus // Cleveland, Ohio
Location Change // Please note that the location of Saturday's match has been moved to the outdoor courts on Cleveland State's campus. This match was originally scheduled to be played indoors, but with the nice weather in the Cleveland area this weekend, the two teams will play at the Malaga Tennis Center.
Live Results // Fans that are unable to attend Saturday'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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Vikings Perfect In League Play: Entering Saturday's contest against the Phoenix Cleveland State stands at 3-0 in Horizon League play – marking the fifth time that the Vikings have been 3-0 to start league play over the last eight seasons. CSU will be going for its fourth undefeated Horizon League season under head coach Brian Etzkin, as the Vikings posted 7-0 records during the 2011, 2010, and 2009 seasons.
Home Sweet Home: The Vikings, who own a 6-1 record at home this year, will be playing in their final home match of the 2014 spring season this weekend. CSU has had the home court advantage over the past four weeks, knocking off four straight wins during this stretch. Under Etzkin, the Vikings own a 69-25 record while playing at home.
Four Vikings Perfect In League Play: Entering the weekend, four Vikings 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.
…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 a 10-6 record this season, and have won four straight matches leading CSU to four straight doubles points.
Kuelker Keeps Win Streak Alive: Entering the weekend Matt Kuelker has won 13 straight singles matches and has a team-best 23-8 record on the year. During his 13-match win streak, Kuelker has dropped just two sets, defeating 11 of his opponents in straight sets.
…Closing in on 80: Following his 2-0 weekend, Matt Kuelker is now just one win shy of becoming the fifth Viking all-time to record 80 career singles victories. Kuelker currently ranks fifth on the all-time singles wins list with 79 wins on his career, needing just three more wins to move into fourth place on the list.
Bellutti Notches 20th Victory: Manuel Bellutti became the second Viking to reach the 20-win mark last weekend, earning his 19th and 20th singles victories of the season against Butler and Duquesne. Entering the weekend Bellutti ranks second on the team with a 20-9 record on the season, and has won five straight matches and 11 of his last 12.
VanMeter Continues Strong Singles Play: Joe VanMeter also enters the weekend on a singles win streak, winning his last 11 matches. Last weekend, VanMeter picked up the clinching points against Butler and Duquesne, and stands at 17-11 this season and 12-3 during the spring season.
The Opponent: Green Bay enters the weekend with a 12-7 record on the season and a 2-0 mark in Horizon League play. Last weekend, the Phoenix defeated Valparaiso (6-1) and UIC (7-0) to pick up their first two league wins of the season. The CSU/Green Bay series has been hard-fought over the past 11 seasons, with the Vikings holding a slight 9-7 advantage in the overall series.
