CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team will continue its 2018 spring schedule this weekend, hosting Youngstown State on Saturday, March 31 before traveling to No. 11 Michigan on Sunday, April 1.
Saturday, March 31 | Youngstown State | 3:00 p.m.
Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion | 2005 Chester Ave. | Cleveland, Ohio | 44114
LIVE STATS
Sunday, April 1 | @ Michigan | 5:00 p.m.
Varsity Tennis Center | 2250 S. State Street | Ann Arbor, Mich. | 48104
LIVE STATS
Last Time Out…
The Vikings opened up their seven-match Horizon League slate with a 6-1 win against Green Bay, marking the 11th time under head coach Brian Etzkin that the Vikings have opened #HLMTEN play with a victory. Saturday's win against the Phoenix also snapped a six-match regular season losing skid for the Vikings in the series.
A Win Saturday Would…
Put the Vikings at 2-0 to start Horizon League play for the eighth time over the last 16 seasons…Keep the Vikings perfect against league opponents in the MMTP this season…Improve Cleveland State to 11-8 overall this year.
Mostardi Named #HLMTEN Singles Player Of The Week
Earlier this week, sophomore Nico Mostardi picked up his fourth #HLMTEN Singles Player of the Week honor after posting a 7-5, 6-0 victory at No. 1 singles against Green Bay. Mostardi, who leads all players with his four honors this spring, owns a team-best 21-6 record this season, including a 9-2 mark this spring. So far this season, Mostardi has picked up all 21 of his wins in straight-set victories.
Phillips Notches 20th Singles Win
With a 7-5, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles against Green Bay last time out, freshman Luke Phillips notched his 20th singles win of the season. Phillips is the 14th Viking all-time to record a 20-win campaign, and is the seventh to do so as a freshman (joining classmate Matthew Terry). Entering the weekend, Phillips stands at 20-10 overall this season, and owns a 10-6 singles mark this spring.
…Joins Mostardi & Terry In 20-Win Club
Phillips joins teammates Nico Mostardi and Matthew Terry in the 20-win club, marking the fifth time in program history that three Vikings on the same roster have recorded 20+ singles wins. With at least seven matches left this season, all three have the chance to reach 25 singles wins, which would mark the second time under head coach Brian Etzkin that three Vikings have notched 25+ singles wins in the same season (2009-10).
Slade & Radosevic Closing In On CSU Singles Wins List
Entering this weekend's matches, Benjamin Slade and Mirko Radosevic are closing in on earning a spot in the top-10 on the CSU Singles Wins List, as Radosevic has 54 career singles victories and Slade has 53. To earn a spot in the top-10, Radosevic needs four more wins, while Slade needs five more victories. Entering Saturday's match against Youngstown State, Slade owns a team-best 11-5 singles record this spring.
Vikings Tabbed Preseason Favorites In Horizon League
Earlier this season, Cleveland State was selected as the preseason favorite to win the Horizon League, collecting 46 points and four first place votes in the preseason poll. Over the last six years that the league has been releasing a preseason poll, this marked the first time that the Vikings were favored to win and the fifth time that Cleveland State was a top-two selection.
Head Coach Brian Etzkin
Brian Etzkin is in his 16th year at the helm of the Vikings, owning a 227-167 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.
Scouting The Penguins
Youngstown State enters Saturday's contest with a 7-8 overall record and a 1-0 mark in Horizon League play after picking up a 4-3 victory against Green Bay last time out. Earlier this season, the Penguins were picked to finish second in the Horizon League Preseason Poll, finishing behind the Vikings with 37 points and one first place vote.
This will be the 25th meeting between the two teams under head coach Brian Etzkin, with Cleveland State owning a 17-7 advantage in the overall series. The two teams have split the last six matches, with YSU picking up a 6-1 victory in last season's contest.
Scouting The Wolverines
Michigan enters the weekend ranked No. 11 according to the most recent Oracle ITA Collegiate rankings, owning a 12-3 overall record on the year. Prior to Sunday's match against the Vikings, the Wolverines will host Indiana and Purdue.
This will be the third meeting between the two teams over the last 16 seasons, with Michigan picking up wins in both meetings.
