CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team will try to continue its winning ways this weekend, traveling to Ball State for its lone contest on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday, February 10 | @ Ball State | 1:00 p.m.
Muncie YMCA Tennis Center | 500 S. Mulberry St. | Muncie, Ind. | 47305
Last Time Out…
The Vikings remained undefeated at home this season, notching wins over Northern Illinois (4-3) and Case Western (6-1). With the victories, the Vikings improved to 5-2 this season and 5-0 in the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion.
Vikings Extend Winstreak
Entering Saturday's match against the Cardinals, Cleveland State is riding a five-match winstreak – its longest winstreak over the last three years. During the last five matches, Cleveland State has allowed its opponents to pick up just nine points, including a trio of 6-1 victories over DePaul, Oberlin and Case Western.
On The Road Again
After spending the last two weeks in the friendly confines of the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion, the Vikings will return to the road for a brief stint this weekend. Saturday's match at Ball State will be the third of 13 road matches for Cleveland State this spring, with the Vikings standing at 0-2 when on the road so far this season.
Mostardi Picks Up Third Straight #HLMTEN Honor
For the third straight week, sophomore Nico Mostardi was named the Horizon League Singles Player of the Week, picking up the honor after a 2-0 weekend at No. 1 singles against NIU and Case Western. Mostardi, who has won 11 straight matches dating back to the fall, owns a perfect 6-0 record this spring and stands at 18-4 overall this year.
Cleveland State Doubles Play
In all five of Cleveland State's wins this spring, the Vikings have been able to pick up the early advantage with the doubles point. Overall, the Vikings are 11-8 in doubles play this spring, including a team-best 3-1 record from Matthew Terry and Nico Mostardi.
Malm Moves Into Singles Lineup
William Malm made the most of his appearance in the singles lineup last weekend, picking up a pair of wins at No. 6 singles against NIU and Case Western. Malm owns a perfect 3-0 singles record this spring – one of three Vikings to be undefeated in dual match play. On the season, Malm is 5-5 in singles action.
Slade Closing In On Career Win #50
After picking up his 10th win of the year against Northern Illinois last Saturday, junior Benjamin Slade enters the weekend with 46 career singles wins, needing four more victories to become the 13th Viking all-time to eclipse the 50-win milestone. Slade notched a 21-win season as a freshman, posted 15 wins as a sophomore, and currently owns a 10-8 singles record during his junior campaign.
Head Coach Brian Etzkin
Brian Etzkin is in his 16th year at the helm of the Vikings, owning a 222-161 dual match record. Etzkin has guided the Vikings to five Horizon League Tournament titles and five trips to the NCAA Tournament during his tenure. Last spring, Etzkin helped lead the Vikings to the Championship match of the Horizon League tournament, making their eighth appearance in the title match.
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Scouting The Cardinals
Ball State enters the weekend with a 5-1 record this spring, with its lone loss coming in a 6-1 decision at Indiana. Saturday's match against the Vikings will also be the lone contest for BSU this weekend.
This will be the fifth meeting between the two teams under head coach Brian Etzkin, with CSU owning a 3-1 advantage in the series. Ball State's only win against CSU came last season, when the Cardinals picked up a 4-3 win.
