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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Cleveland State women's tennis team's season came to an end Saturday afternoon, as the Vikings fell to second-seeded Youngstown State, 4-2 in a semifinal matchup. The Vikings finish the season with a 13-11 record.
"I am very proud of this team and what we accomplished this year, especially the seniors and their careers at Cleveland State," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "This isn't how we had written the script, but we went out fighting in all of the matches today - like we have done all season. Even though we won't be in the championship match this year, we are still proud to be Vikings."
The Vikings got behind 1-0 after doubles play, as CSU was only able to pick up a victory at the No. 3 position. Nicole Janek and Mathilde Orange posted an 8-1 victory at No. 3 doubles - improving their record to 7-4 this spring.
The Penguins then gained a 2-0 advantage with a victory at No. 2 singles, before Janek was able to post CSU's first point with a win at No. 6 singles. Janek earned a 6-1, 7-5 victory, marking her 16th singles win of the season and improving her career total to 70 wins - which ranks fifth all-time on the career singles wins list.
YSU responded with a win at No. 1 singles, before Maria Lazaris battled for a 6-2, 6-4 victory at the No. 5 spot to put the score at 3-2 Youngstown State. Lazaris finished the season with 16 singles wins and 71 on her career, which tied her for third all-time on the career singles wins list.
Youngstown State's clinching point then came at No. 3 singles, as the Penguins were able to claim a 6-4, 6-1 victory. Kara Sherwood was in the third set of her No. 4 singles match before it was suspended - earning a 6-2 victory during the first set and falling 6-1 in the second set.
Youngstown State 4, Cleveland State 2
Doubles:
1. SADOVNIKOVA, M./BURAK, Marta (YSU) def. BUSH, Alex/SHERWOOD, Kara (CSU) 8-4
2. HANKLE, Lauren/de MAN, Paula (YSU) def. LAZARIS, Maria/POWER, Alex (CSU) 8-4
3. JANEK, Nicole/ORANGE, Mathilde (CSU) def. RAICEVIC, Tijana/BRENDEL, Annina (YSU) 8-1
Singles:
1. de MAN, Paula (YSU) def. Orange, Mathilde (CSU) 6-2, 6-4
2. SADOVNIKOVA, M. (YSU) def. Power, Alex (CSU) 6-2, 6-0
3. BURAK, Marta (YSU) def. BUSH, Alex (CSU) 6-4, 6-1
4. Sherwood, Kara (CSU) vs. HANKLE, Lauren (YSU) 6-2, 1-6, unfinished
5. Lazaris, Maria (CSU) def. BRENDEL, Annina (YSU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Janek, Nicole (CSU) def. RAICEVIC, Tijana (YSU) 6-1, 7-5