CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team will close out the regular season this weekend, hosting Valparaiso and UIC to conclude Horizon League regular season play. The Vikings will open the weekend against Valparaiso on Saturday (April 18), and will then face UIC on Sunday (April 19).
Saturday, April 18 | Valparaiso | 3:30 p.m. (approx.)
CWRU Carlton Courts | 11920 Carlton Road | Cleveland, Ohio | 44106
Sunday, April 19 | UIC | 3:00 p.m.
Paramount Tennis Club | 31550 Viking Parkway | Westlake, Ohio | 44145
Follow The Action | Fans that are unable to attend this weekend's matches will be able to follow the action online, with live results available on the men's tennis schedule page at CSUVikings.com
Weather Update | Saturday's match against Valparaiso is currently scheduled to be played outside at the Carlton Courts on the Case Western Reserve campus. Make sure to check CSUVikings.com throughout the coming days for updates on Saturday's match location.
2014-15 MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS | 2014-15 SEASON STATISTICS
VanMeter Notches 20th Win Of The Season
After going 2-1 in singles action last week, junior Joe VanMeter became the second Viking to notch 20 singles wins this season. VanMeter, who stands at 21-12 this season has tallied a 14-7 record this spring, including a 9-6 mark at No. 1 singles. VanMeter has spent the spring season playing at the top two spots in the singles lineup, and has won five of his last six matches heading into the weekend.
Multiple Vikings With 20-Win Campaigns
For the seventh time under head coach Brian Etzkin multiple Vikings have notched 20-win campaigns in the same season, as Joe VanMeter joins Manuel Bellutti (22-7) in the 20-win club. Both VanMeter and Bellutti have now notched 20-win seasons in back-to-back years – becoming the sixth and seventh Vikings to record at least 20 wins in multiple seasons throughout their careers.
Bellutti Closing In On 50 Career Wins
Playing in just his second season as a Viking, senior Manuel Bellutti is closing in on 50 career singles wins, entering the weekend with a 47-16 record on his career. Bellutti, who has a team-best 22-7 singles record this season, would become the 12th Viking all-time to notch 50 career singles wins and the fourth to do so this season. Bellutti would also become the first Viking to reach 50 career wins in just two seasons of play.
CSU Doubles In Horizon League Play
Cleveland State's No. 1 doubles team of Ali Shabib and Nolan Marks kept their record perfect in Horizon League play last weekend, picking up a 6-3 victory at Green Bay. Shabib and Marks, who have a team-best 13-3 overall record this season, own a perfect 4-0 record against league opponents. Shabib and Marks are one of just two Horizon League doubles teams to be undefeated in league play and have a victory in all of their team's league matches (Chancerel/Mistreanu – Youngstown State).
Upcoming Horizon League Tournament
Make sure to check CSUVikings.com after this weekend's contests to see what seed Cleveland State will be in the upcoming Horizon League Tournament. The 2015 championship will be held April 24-26 at the Purdue University Schwartz Tennis Center in West Lafayette, Ind.
Scouting The Crusaders
Valparaiso enters Saturday's contest with a 19-5 overall record, including a 3-1 mark against league opponents. The Crusaders have won four of their last five contests, and seven of their last nine, with Valparaiso's lone league loss coming against Green Bay.
Under head coach Brian Etzkin, the Vikings are 7-2 against Valparaiso.
Scouting The Flames
UIC enters the weekend with a 6-10 overall record and a 2-2 mark in league play, and will face Youngstown State prior to Sunday's match against the Vikings. The Flames have won four of their last six contests, and are currently tied with the Vikings in the league standings.
Over the past 12 seasons the Vikings are 13-4 against UIC and have won 11 straight heading into Sunday's contest.
