CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team will continue its spring season this weekend, traveling to Wright State and IPFW for a pair of contests. The Vikings will open the weekend against Wright State on Saturday, March 21 and will then face the Mastodons on Sunday, March 22.
Saturday, March 21 | @ Wright State | 11:00 a.m.
WSU Tennis Courts | 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy. | Fairborn, Ohio | 45435
Sunday, March 22 | @ IPFW | 10:00 a.m.
Empowered Sports Club | 12124 Lima Road | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 46818
Follow The Action| 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
Catch Up On Hawaii
If you haven't already, make sure to check out the Cleveland State Tennis Blog from the Spring Break Trip to Hawaii! You can find match recaps, blog entries from various student-athletes, and pictures! Click on the link below and you will be directed to the Cleveland State Tennis Blog:
Horizon League Play
Saturday's match at Wright State will mark the Horizon League opener for the Vikings, as they begin their 14th season in the Horizon League. Over the past 12 seasons, CSU has finished the regular season ranked in the top-four 10 times and the Vikings have been the regular season champions four times (08, 09, 10, 11).
Horizon League Preseason Poll
Earlier this season the Vikings were selected to finish second in the Horizon League Preseason Poll, earning 31 points and one first place vote. CSU finished behind Green Bay – the 2014 Tournament Champions – who collected 36 points and six first place votes.
Top Singles Players in Hawaii
Manuel Bellutti and Mirko Radosevic both posted 2-1 singles records in Hawaii last week, Bellutti improving to a team-best 14-6 overall this season and Radosevic improving to 6-5 this spring. Bellutti split time at No. 3 and No. 4 singles, while Radosevic spent time at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots.
In The Record Book
Seniors Ali Shabib and Jorg van der Vloet improved their standing on the CSU singles wins list last week, as both picked up a singles win to move into eighth place on the list with 54 career singles victories. van der Vloet picked up his win at No. 2 singles, while Shabib's win came at the No. 4 spot. For the season, van der Vloet owns an 11-9 singles record with Shabib standing at 10-12.
Scouting the Raiders
Wright State enters the weekend with a 7-9 record this spring, and will also be opening league play on Saturday. Last time out the Raiders picked up a 7-0 victory against Western Illinois. Wright State has had multiple players compete at the top of the singles lineup, with Dan Gilbert picking up all four wins at No. 1 singles.
Over the past 12 seasons Cleveland State has posted a 12-3 record against the Raiders.
Scouting the Mastodons
IPFW enters the weekend with a 7-6 record this spring, and will face Toledo prior to Sunday's contest against the Vikings. The Mastodons have faced six Horizon League teams already this season, owning a 3-2 record against them. Gerard Guell has been IPFW's top singles player this season, owning a 7-6 record at the No. 1 spot, while the Mastodons have had three different combinations play at the top of the doubles lineup.
Under head coach Brian Etzkin the Vikings own a 12-4 record against the Mastodons, and have won nine straight heading into Sunday's contest.
