March 26, 2011
Contact: Greg Murphy
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Cleveland State lost the doubles point, but rallied to win four singles matches and claim a 4-3 win at Green Bay in Horizon League action on Saturday evening.
The win improves the Vikings to 8-7 overall and 2-0 in the league. In addition, the win was CSU's 27th straight win over a league foe.
"This was a huge win for us tonight," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "There were so many momentum shifts in the match and there were times I wasn't sure if we were going to get the four points that we needed. But our guys never gave up and kept battling to get the win.
"This was a great match overall by both teams. Every match was well contested and there was good sportsmanship going around on every court. Hats off to Green Bay for a well contested match."
The Phoenix took a 1-0 lead in the match by winning two of the three doubles contests. Rob Fox and John Haley teamed for an 8-2 win at No. 1 doubles for CSU's lone win.
"We didn't play our best doubles tonight and that is something we are going to have to continue to work on because there will be matches that come down to that point," Etzkin said.
Fox earned a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 2 singles to even the match at 1-1, while freshman Matt Ford gave the Vikings their second point with a 6-2, 7-6 win at No. 6 singles.
Haley picked up a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 5 singles, while Matt Kuelker won at No. 3 singles, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 to clinch the win.
"Matt battled all night and faced a few match points," Etzkin said. "That may have been a match that most freshmen are not fortunate enough to win, but Matt worked hard to win some key points and extended the match."
The Vikings are back in action next Saturday (April 2) when CSU hosts Valparaiso at 2:00 p.m.
Cleveland State 4, Green Bay 3
Mar 26, 2011 at Green Bay, Wis.
Singles competition
1. FINKENBRINK, Erik (UWGB) def. Goossens, Yannick (CSU) 3-6, 7-6, 6-4
2. Fox, Rob (CSU) def. SWANSON, Paul (UWGB) 6-0, 6-2
3. Kuelker, Matt (CSU) def. COX, Craig (UWGB) 4-6, 7-6, 7-6
4. HOPFE, Christoph (UWGB) def. Klepatz, Chris (CSU) 7-5, 6-1
5. Haley, John (CSU) def. GOGOLIN, Fabian (UWGB) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
6. Ford, Matt (CSU) def. JESS, Henning (UWGB) 6-2, 7-6
Doubles competition
1. Fox, Rob/HALEY, John (CSU) def. GOGOLIN, Fabian/HOPFE, Christoph (UWGB) 8-2
2. FINKENBRINK, Erik/OOTHOUDT, Josh (UWGB) def. GOOSSENS, Yannick/KLEPATZ, Chris (CSU) 9-7
3. SWANSON, Paul/COX, Craig (UWGB) def. FORD, Matt/KUELKER, Matt (CSU) 9-7
