CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State women's tennis team got back on track Sunday afternoon, picking up a 6-1 victory against Oakland. The win improves CSU to 2-1 in Horizon League play this season.
"This was a great bounce-back day for the women, Oakland really fought hard and pushed us until the very end. There weren't any easy matches on the courts today and I am proud of how the team responded to that," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "Mathilde continues to play some great tennis for us, giving us spark every time she is on the court. It was also great to see Jana come through and get a good win today, she beat a player that wasn't giving her any free points, so she really had to earn the win by sticking to her plan and fighting through the tough times."
The Vikings were able to take the 1-0 lead after doubles play, picking up wins at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. Ellen Folkers and Victoria Bensimon posted a 6-2 victory at the top spot, while Mathilde Orange and Princess Gbadamosi captured a matching 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles.
Orange quickly added to Cleveland State's lead after posting a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 3 singles. The win marked Orange's fourth straight singles victory, and kept her perfect in league play. Bensimon then gave the Vikings a 3-0 advantage after posting a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles, while Aleksandra Golawska clinched the match with a 6-2, 6-3 victory at the No. 5 spot.
Golawska now stands at 11-10 overall this season and has won three straight singles matches – all of which have come against league opponents.
Jana Schober and Gbadamosi picked up CSU's final two singles wins on the day, Schober at No. 6 singles and Gbadamosi at the No. 4 spot. Schober captured a 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 victory, while Gbadamosi battled for a 7-6 (8), 7-6 (7) win.
Oakland's lone point of the day came at the top of the singles lineup.
The Vikings will now hit the road for a pair of matches next weekend, traveling to Youngstown State (Friday, April 3) and Duquesne (Saturday, April 4).
Cleveland State 6, Oakland 1
Doubles:
- Folkers/Bensimon (CSU) def. Sabourin/Hemond-Hill (OAK), 6-2
- Orange/Gbadamosi (CSU) def. Guy/Blum (OAK), 6-2
- Celis/Guevara (OAK) def. Golawska/Schober (CSU), 6-3
Singles:
- Cam Sabourin (OAK) def. Ellen Folkers (CSU), 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
- Victoria Bensimon (CSU) def. Karine Celis (OAK), 6-3, 6-4
- Mathilde Orange (CSU) def. Tamara Blum (OAK), 6-2, 6-2
- Princess Gbadamosi (CSU) def. Elizabeth Guy (OAK), 7-6 (8), 7-6 (7)
- Aleksandra Golawska (CSU) def. Theresa Elder (OAK), 6-2, 6-3
- Jana Schober (CSU) def. Juliana Guevara (OAK), 3-6, 6-2, 10-8
Order of Finish: Doubles (2, 1, 3) Singles: (3, 2, 5, 1, 6, 4)
