INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Following one of the best regular season campaigns in recent history, the Cleveland State men's tennis team was honored with multiple postseason accolades from the Horizon League Wednesday, with Nico Mostardi, Matthew Terry and Luke Phillips all earning postseason awards.
Nico Mostardi was named the 2018 Horizon League Player of the Year and First Team honoree, while Matthew Terry was named the 2018 Horizon League Freshman of the Year and Second Team honoree, and Luke Phillips earned a spot on the All-League Second Team.
This marks the seventh time in program history that three Vikings have earned postseason honors in the same season, while it is the first time that Cleveland State has picked up Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year accolades in the same season.
NICO MOSTARDI | SO | PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mostardi picks up Player of the Year honors after posting an overall record of 26-7 this year, including a 14-3 mark at No. 1 singles this spring. Against league opponents, Mostardi went 6-1 during the regular season – notching the best record among league players at the top of the lineup.
Earlier this spring, Mostardi became the fastest player in program history to reach the 20-win mark in a single-season, becoming the 12th Viking all-time to reach the 20-win milestone.
In doubles action, Mostardi owns a 16-9 overall record, including a 5-4 mark when playing at No. 1 doubles.
Mostardi is just the second Viking in program history to earn Player of the Year honors (Phil Orno-2008), and the first to earn both Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year accolades.
Nico's Previous Horizon League Honors: Freshman of the Year (2017), Second Team All-League (2017)
MATTHEW TERRY | FR | FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Terry earns Freshman of the Year honors after going 26-11 in singles play this season, including a 14-8 mark at the top-two spots in the lineup this spring. Terry played the entire league slate at No. 2 singles – the only freshman in the league to play the entire league slate at one of the top-two spots – and posted a 6-1 record.
During non-league play, Terry became the second fastest Viking – and fastest freshman – to reach 20 wins in a single-season, becoming the 13th Viking all-time to reach the 20-win milestone.
So far this season, Terry also owns a 16-10 doubles record, including a 4-2 mark at No. 3 doubles against league opponents.
Terry is the fourth Viking all-time to earn Freshman of the Year honors (Nico Mostardi-2017, Matt Kuelker-2011, Jay Tee-2003).
LUKE PHILLIPS | FR | SECOND TEAM ALL-LEAGUE
Phillips earns a spot on the All-League Second Team after posting an overall record of 26-11 this season, including a 16-7 mark throughout the top half of the lineup this spring. Phillips finished league play with a perfect 7-0 record at No. 3 singles – one of just four players to finish the league schedule undefeated.
Earlier this season, Phillips became the 14th Viking all-time to record a 20-win season, and is currently tied for the team-lead with 26 wins entering tournament play.
On the doubles court, Phillips owns a team-best 18-14 record, including a 5-1 mark against league opponents at the No. 2 spot.
Phillips is the 14th Viking to earn second team accolades, and the sixth to do so as a freshman.
2018 Horizon League Postseason Awards
Player of the Year: Nico Mostardi, Cleveland State
Freshman of the Year: Matthew Terry, Cleveland State
Coach of the Year: Aaron Paajanen, Detroit Mercy
Herb Foster Sportsmanship Award: Blaine Carr, Northern Kentucky
First Team
Nico Mostardi, Cleveland State
Artem Vasheshnikov, Detroit Mercy
Florian Kraenzler, Green Bay
David Beasley, IUPUI
Michal Kianicka, Wright State
Danylo Veremeichuk, Youngstown State
Second Team
Luke Phillips, Cleveland State
Matthew Terry, Cleveland State
Nathan Ponton, Detroit Mercy
James Ling, Green Bay
Param Pun, Wright State
Joao Garretto, Youngstown State
