CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team will play at the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion for the final time during the 2017 spring season this weekend, hosting Detroit Mercy and Denison in a doubleheader on Sunday, April 9.
Sunday, April 9 | Detroit Mercy | 10:00 a.m.
Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion | 2005 Chester Ave. | Cleveland, Ohio | 44114
Sunday, April 9 | Denison | 6:00 p.m.
Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion | 2005 Chester Ave. | Cleveland, Ohio | 44114
Follow Along Live!
Fans that are unable to attend Sunday's matches against Detroit Mercy and Denison will still be able to follow along live, with Live Results available via the men's tennis schedule page on CSUVikings.com.
Senior Day
This weekend will be the final homestand for the senior duo of Andre Mick and Colton Buffington, as the Vikings will honor the pair at a Friends, Family and Alumni banquet prior to this weekend's matches. Buffington and Mick have been an integral part of both the doubles and singles lineup throughout their Viking careers, with Buffington closing in on 50 career singles wins (including a 9-8 record at Louisville) over the final stretch of the spring season.
Last Time Out…
The Vikings split their first roadswing of the Horizon League slate last weekend, dropping a 4-3 decision at Northern Kentucky before rebounding for a 6-1 victory at Wright State. Colton Buffington (No. 2) and Benjamin Slade (No. 4) both went 2-0 in singles play on the weekend, while the doubles team of Mirko Radosevic and Slade posted a 2-0 record at the top of the doubles lineup.
Radosevic Closing In On 50 Career Singles Wins
After going 1-1 at No. 3 singles at NKU and WSU last weekend, junior Mirko Radosevic enters the weekend closing in on 50 career singles victories, currently owning 47 career wins. Radosevic, who has an 8-8 singles mark this spring, would become the 12th Viking all-time to reach the 50-win milestone.
Mostardi Leads Cleveland State Singles Lineup
Freshman Nico Mostardi continues to lead the Vikings at the top of the singles lineup, owning a team-best 9-9 singles record this spring after playing all 18 matches at the No. 1 spot. Mostardi, who is the only rookie to appear at the top of the singles lineup during Horizon League play so far this season, is also the first Cleveland State freshman to play at No. 1 singles since the 2011-12 season.
Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion
For the second straight year – and first complete year – the Vikings are calling the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion home. The MMTP, which opened March 9, 2016, features six temperature-controlled indoor courts. With the opening of the MMTP, Cleveland State became the first Horizon League team to have an on-campus indoor facility.
…Vikings In The MMTP
So far this season the Vikings own a 4-3 record when playing in the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion, splitting their contests against UIC and Valparaiso last time out. Overall, Cleveland State owns a 5-6 record in the MMTP since the team began playing at the corner of Chester Avenue and East 21st Street.
Head Coach Brian Etzkin
Brian Etzkin is in his 15th year at the helm of the Vikings, owning a 215-153 dual match record. Etzkin has guided the Vikings to five Horizon League Tournament titles and five trips to the NCAA Tournament during his tenure. Etzkin recorded his 200th career victory with the men's team last spring, becoming just the second active Horizon League men's tennis coach to achieve the feat.
Scouting The Titans
Detroit enters the weekend with a 6-11 overall record and a 0-1 mark in Horizon League play, falling at Green Bay, 4-3 last time out. The Titans, who were selected to finish sixth in the preseason poll, will take on Youngstown State prior to Sunday's match against the Vikings.
Under head coach Brian Etzkin, the Vikings own a perfect 11-0 record against the Titans.
Scouting The Big Red
Denison enters the weekend with a 6-7 overall record on the season and has won three straight matches. Cleveland State will be the second Division I opponent for the Big Red, as they fell at Toledo, 7-0 at the start of the spring season.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams over the last 15 seasons.
