March 23, 2007

Contact: Josh Rattray

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Cleveland State won five of six singles matches and the doubles point in a 6-1 victory over league foe Youngstown State on Friday night. It was CSU's second win over the Penguins this year as the Vikings have won 13 of 14 points from YSU dating back to the fall.

 Cleveland State (12-5, 1-0 HL) dominated at Nos. 3, 4 and 5 singles to clinch the match early. Sophomore Ryan Hamning won 6-0, 6-1 over Diego Cerzosimo while senior Dan Singer (6-2, 6-1) and sophomore Rob West (6-1, 6-3) also won quick matches in the fourth and fifth spots.

"The middle of our lineup was very solid," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We didn't give away any free points. We won and got off the court quickly."

The Vikings took an early lead by winning two of three in doubles play. The key was a come-from-behind win from West and sophomore Steven Wipprecht at No. 3 doubles. The sophomore duo trailed, 6-3, before winning five straight games to clinch the doubles point and give CSU a 1-0 lead.

"We had a close doubles point, and winning was big for our momentum," Etzkin said.

Junior Brad Groleski won 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 singles and Wipprecht won the match's only three-set contest 6-3, 3-6, 10-8 over Jason Trapp.

Cleveland State swept Youngstown State, 7-0, last September in the season's first dual match. The Vikings host St. Bonaventure on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at River Oaks Racquet Club.

DOUBLES RESULTS

Barth/Kathary (YSU) def. Hamning/Orno - 8-6

Groleski/Singer def. R. Trapp/J. Trapp - 8-4

West/Wipprecht def. Meek/Cerzosimo - 8-6

SINGLES RESULTS

Brad Groleski def. Tom Barth (YSU) - 6-4, 6-4

Scott Kathary def. Phil Orno - 6-4, 7-5

Ryan Hamning def. Diego Cerzosimo (YSU) - 6-0, 6-1

Dan Singer def. Brian Meek (YSU) - 6-2, 6-1

Rob West def. Ryan Trapp (YSU) - 6-1, 6-3

Steven Wipprecht def. Jason Trapp (YSU) - 6-3, 3-6, 10-8

EXHIBITION

Chris Leson (YSU) def. Danny Popescu - 8-5

Danny Popescu def. Maurice Rucker (YSU) - 9-7