INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Cleveland State men's tennis team picked up its first win of the adjusted 2021 campaign Friday, earning a 4-3 victory over Butler.
"It was great to get this win today, I can see the team improving every week and it's nice to see their hard work finally pay off with a victory," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We played some really good doubles again today, and the guys came out with really good energy in warmups and in doubles, and they were just ready to get back in action."
For the third straight match the Vikings were able to pick up the early doubles point, getting wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Cleveland State's No. 2 team of Clark Bilinovich and Raul Teichman earned a 6-1 win, while the No. 3 duo of Kade Mindry and Matthew Terry posted a matching 6-1 victory to give Cleveland State the early 1-0 lead.
Butler was able to even the match with a win at the top of the singles lineup then, but the Vikings responded with a pair of wins at No. 2 and No. 3 singles to regain a 3-1 lead in the match.
At the No. 2 spot, Luke Phillips notched his third straight singles win with a 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 three-set decision, while Maxime Mareschal-Hay earned a 6-3, 6-4 straight set victory at No. 3 singles.
This marked the 67th career win for Phillips, as he is now just four wins shy of earning a spot on the CSU Singles Wins List.
Despite Butler being able to post the next singles point on the No. 4 court, Cleveland State was able to clinch the match with a win at No. 5 singles. Teichmann picked up an efficient 6-1, 6-3 victory at the No. 5 spot, giving the Vikings their first win of the season.
"Max is continuing to look better and better every match he plays, and it was good to see him get his win in straight sets today. Luke came out and dominated his first set, and despite dropping the next set he was able to play from ahead the entire third set and get the win on his court which turned out to be a big point for us. Raul got some revenge against an opponent that has beaten him before, and he came out with an energy and focus that made it a no-doubter for us," Etkzin said.
Butler finished the match with a win at No. 6 singles.
Cleveland State will look to continue its winning ways next weekend, traveling to Buffalo for a 2:30 p.m. contest on Friday, February 19.