Contact: Renee Adam
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TOLEDO, Ohio - Behind strong singles play, the Cleveland State women's tennis team picked up its first win of the spring Friday evening, posting a 4-3 victory at Toledo.
"We had an exciting 4-3 victory today against a quality opponent. We had a lot going against us throughout the match, but the tennis gods were on our side," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We dropped the doubles point and had to really focus and play solid tennis during the singles matches to pull out the victory. I know that we have great doubles players on this team, we just need to improve in match play, which will come in time."
Despite getting behind after doubles action, the Vikings were able to come back and post four singles victories to earn their second straight win over Toledo - also earning a 4-3 victory last season.
Kara Sherwood earned CSU's first point against the Rockets, picking up a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 4 singles. Alex Bush then picked up a 6-4, 6-2 victory at the No. 1 spot, followed by a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 come-from-behind win by Maria Lazaris at No. 5 singles.
The Rockets were then able to post victories at the No. 2 and No. 6 positions, tying the contest at 3-3 with the No. 3 singles match becoming the deciding factor.
Freshman Mathilde Orange, playing in just her third collegiate match, pulled out a huge 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 3 singles - clinching the match for the Vikings.
"Kara, Alex Bush, Maria and Mathilde all had great singles matches today, especially Mathilde who was playing under a lot of pressure as the possible clinching point. I was really impressed at how well she controlled her match and was happy to see her get the win," Etzkin said.
The Vikings will continue action tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 2) morning, traveling to Michigan State for a 10:00 a.m. matchup.
Cleveland State 4, Toledo 3
Doubles:
1. MAZZOLA, Emily/BOWMAN, Mackenzie (UT) def. BUSH, Alex/LAZARIS, Maria (CSU) 8-4
2. PITT, Lexy/COFFMAN, Chrissy (UT) def. POWER, Alex/SHERWOOD, Kara (CSU) 8-5
3. CARVAJAL, Silvia/NGUYEN, Katelyn (UT) def. ORANGE, Mathilde/FOLKERS, Ellen (CSU) 8-3
Singles:
1. BUSH (CSU) def. RYGH (UT) 6-4, 6-2
2. COFFMAN (UT) def. POWER (CSU) 2-6, 4-3, retired
3. ORANGE (CSU) def. PITT (UT) 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-3
4. SHERWOOD (CSU) def. BOWMAN (UT) 6-3, 6-1
5. LAZARIS (CSU) def. NGUYEN (UT) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
6. MAZZOLA (UT) def. FOLKERS (CSU) 6-1, 6-3
