Women’s Tennis Set For 2017 #HLWTEN Tournament - Cleveland State University

Posted: Apr 26, 2017

CLEVELAND, Ohio – After clinching a share of the Horizon League Regular Season championship last weekend, the Cleveland State women's tennis team will try to capture its first-ever Horizon League Tournament title this weekend, entering the 2017 #HLWTEN Tournament as the No. 2 seed.

HORIZON LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | 2017 #HLWTEN TOURNAMENT BRACKET

As the second seed, the Vikings earn a bye into the semifinals, and will face the winner of the No. 3 UIC/No. 6 Wright State first round contest on Saturday, April 29. A win on Saturday would put the Vikings into the championship match on Sunday, April 30.

***Times listed above are for outdoor matches only. In case of inclement weather, check back to CSUVikings.com for updated indoor match times.***

Follow The Vikings Live!
Viking fans that are unable to attend the 2017 Horizon League Tournament will still be able to follow the action live, as Live Scoring and Live Video will be available for all rounds of the championship. Links for both can be found on the women's tennis schedule page at CSUVikings.com.

Regular Season Champions…Again!!
Following a pair of victories at Milwaukee (4-3) and Green Bay (7-0) during the final roadswing of the regular season, the Vikings were able to clinch a share of the 2017 Horizon League Regular Season Championship. This marks the third time out of the last four years – and second straight season – that the Vikings have earned at least a share of the regular season title. Cleveland State finished the year with an 8-1 record against league opponents, tying the program record for league wins in a season which was set last year.

Vikings Against The 2017 Field
Seed | 2017 Regular Season Result | Overall Record Under Etzkin | Current W/L Streak
1. Youngstown State | L, 6-1 | 7-12 | L 1
2. Cleveland State
3. UIC | W, 5-2 | 4-16 | W 4
4. Detroit Mercy | W, 6-1 | 14-9 | W 2
5. Oakland | W, 6-1 | 15-1 | W 15
6. Wright State | W, 4-3 | 15-4 | W 1

Cleveland State In The Horizon League Tournament
The Vikings will be trying for their first Horizon League Tournament title this weekend, and will be playing as one of the top-two seeds for the sixth time over the last 15 seasons. With this year's bye into the semifinals, the Vikings have now earned a spot in a semifinal contest 11 times under head coach Brian Etzkin, while advancing to the Championship match three times (2011, 2012, 2014).

Bensimon & Golawska Against #HLWTEN Opponents
Entering the Horizon League Tournament senior Victoria Bensimon and Aleksandra Golawska are two of the most successful Vikings all-time in league matches, with Bensimon owning a 31-5 singles record against league opponents and Golawska standing at 24-5 (includes regular season & tournament matches). During her career, Bensimon has posted two perfect seasons in league play - notching a 10-0 record as a junior and an 8-0 record as a freshman. This season, Bensimon and Golawska both finished the regular season with a 7-2 mark against Horizon League opponents.

Trio Of Vikings In 50-Win Club
After junior Aleksandra Golawska picked up the 50^th victory of her career earlier this season, the Vikings now have three current players in the 50-win club. Golawska joins the senior duo of Princess Gbadamosi and Victoria Bensimon who both eclipsed the 50-win mark last season. This trio is part of the 14-member 50-win club at Cleveland State.

…Bensimon & Gbadamosi On CSU Singles Wins List
Victoria Bensimon and Princess Gbadamosi are also part of the CSU Singles Wins List, with both seniors ranking in the top-10 heading into the 2017 Horizon League Tournament. Bensimon is currently tied for second with 74 career victories, while Gbadamosi ranks eighth with 69 career wins. Entering tournament play both seniors have a chance to make moves in the top-10, with Bensimon needing just one more win to take sole possession of second place and Gbadamosi needing just one more win to move into a tie for seventh place on the list.

…And On CSU Doubles Wins List
The senior duo of Victoria Bensimon and Princess Gbadamosi also ranks in the top-10 on the CSU Doubles Wins List entering this weekend's tournament, with Gbadamosi tied for eighth place with 56 career doubles wins and Bensimon tied for 10^th place with 55 career doubles victories.

Head Coach Brian Etzkin
Brian Etzkin is in his 15^th year with the Vikings, owning a 199-184 dual match record. During his tenure, Etzkin has guided Cleveland State to a trio of Horizon League Regular Season titles (2014, 2016 & 2017), and three Horizon League Championship Match appearances. With just one more dual match victory, Etzkin will become the second active Horizon League women's coach with 200 wins on their career.