CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State men's tennis head coach Brian Etzkin has announced the addition of Noah Cenkner (Acme, Pa.) and JuandeDios Abboud (Laredo, Texas), with Cenkner joining the Vikings in January, and Abboud joining the team for the 2020-21 campaign.
"I'm really excited for Noah and Juan to join the program, they have already made a positive impression on the team, and I'm really looking forward to actually having them on campus," Etzkin said. "They both have a skillset and enthusiasm for the game that will no doubt help them become impact players for us in the near future."
Noah Cenkner | Acme, Pa.
Cenkner will join the Vikings as a mid-year enrollee in January, and will have a chance to make an immediate impact on the team during the spring season. Cenkner played his high school tennis for Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, where he was WPIAL Semi-Finalist and a Pennsylvania State Championship Doubles Quarterfinalist, while finishing with a 16-1 singles record as a junior.
Major: Psychology
Etzkin on Cenkner: "Noah has the tools, size and determination to be a very good player. I expect him to blossom quickly as he joins a veteran team in January, along with Kade Mindry. This combo will provide the team with some additional firepower as we attempt to defend our Horizon League title this spring."
JuandeDios Abboud | Laredo, Texas
Abboud will join the Vikings for the 2020-21 campaign, following an excellent junior career that included a top-90 ranking in the country for his age group. Abboud has been an active USTA Sectional & National competitor, including being part of the U18 Junior Tennis National championship team. Abboud also won the Excellence TX Tournament and was a doubles finalist, while also placing fourth in the Sectional doubles tournament.
Major: Pre-Med
Etzkin on Abboud: "Juan has had a lot of success in his junior career, including a top-90 ranking in the country for his class in two of the last four years. He has a great work ethic, is a very good student in the classroom, has a history of leadership & volunteering, and loves to work."
Cenkner and Abboud will join a Cleveland State team that has won back-to-back Horizon League Regular Season and Tournament titles. Last year, the Vikings finished the season ranked eighth in the Midwest Region and posted a 19-8 overall record.