CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State women's tennis head coach Brian Etzkin announced the team's 2017-18 schedule Wednesday afternoon, a schedule that features four fall tournaments and a 24-match spring slate.
"Each year we try to push ourselves with the schedule, and we certainly did that again this year," Etzkin said. "We have one of the best facilities in the area on our campus, and it is quickly becoming one of the best places to play college tennis matches. This year we have the opportunity to showcase the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion with 14 home matches – including an SEC powerhouse in Tennessee – along with our annual fall tournament. We definitely have our work cut out for us during the season, but I can't wait to see how this team will grow and what they will be able to accomplish."
2017-18 PDF SCHEDULE | 2017-18 WEB SCHEDULE
FALL SCHEDULE
During the fall portion of this year's schedule the Vikings will compete in four tournaments, including the second annual Viking Invitational. For the third straight season Cleveland State will open the year at the Akron Shootout (September 22-24), before hosting the three-day Viking Invitational (October 6-8). Next up will be the ITA Midwest Regional (October 12-15), while the Vikings will close out the fall slate at the WMU Super Challenge (November 3-5).
2017 VIKING INVITATIONAL
The 2017 Viking Invitational will feature Akron, Cincinnati and West Virginia. All four teams will play three rounds of singles and five rounds of doubles during the three-day event (Friday, October 6 – Sunday, October 8). Cleveland State had a strong showing during last year's inaugural event, with the doubles team of Aleksandra Golawska and Isabella Spindler taking home Doubles Champion honors.
SPRING SLATE
Head coach Brian Etzkin has scheduled a tough lineup for the spring season, as Cleveland State's 24-match spring slate features three 20-win teams from last season, four NCAA Championship qualifying teams, and the 2017 NCAA Division II Champion.
HOME OPENER
Cleveland State will open the 2018 spring season at home, hosting Duquesne in its home opener on Friday, January 26. During the spring season, the Vikings will play 14 of their matches at home in the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion. The Vikings have had much success in the MMTP since it was constructed in 2016, as they own an all-time record of 16-2 when playing in their on-campus home.
HORIZON LEAGUE LINEUP
Cleveland State will enter the 2018 spring season as two-time reigning Horizon League Regular Season champions, owning a 16-2 record in regular season dual matchups against league opponents. This year's nine-match Horizon League slate will feature five home contests and four road matches, including a trip to league newcomer IUPUI.
IUPUI JOINS HORIZON LEAGUE
IUPUI joined the Horizon League in July, becoming the ninth league team to support women's tennis. Under Etzkin, the Vikings own a 2-1 record against the Jaguars, with Cleveland State picking up a 6-1 victory in the last meeting during 2016.
SPRING BREAK TRIP
Cleveland State's annual Spring Break trip will take them south to the state of Florida this year, as the Vikings will take on FIU and Barry. This will be one of the toughest stretches of Cleveland State's spring schedule, as FIU finished last season with a 21-2 record, while Barry went 30-0 en route to capturing the NCAA Division II National Championship
HEAD COACH BRIAN ETZKIN
Head coach Brian Etzkin enters the season just one win shy of notching his 200th career victory with the women's team, owning a 15-year head coaching record of 199-185 (.518). During his tenure, Etzkin has led the Vikings to a .500 or better finish in 12 of his 15 seasons, while he has also helped Cleveland State claim three Horizon League Regular Season crowns (2014, 2016, 2017).
