INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – After capturing the Horizon League Regular Season title last weekend, three members of the Cleveland State women's tennis team were honored with postseason accolades from the league Thursday, with Oihane Vicario, Sima Heren and Klara Mrcela all earning postseason awards.
Vicario was named the 2022 Co-Freshman of the Year and First Team honoree, while Heren and Mrcela both earned a spot on the All-League Second Team. In addition, head coach Frank Polito was named the Horizon League Coach of the Year.
OIHANE VICARIO | FR | CO-FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Vicario picks up Co-Freshman of the Year honors after posting an overall record of 20-13, including a 14-8 mark playing at No. 1 singles this spring. Against league opponents, Vicario notched a 4-1 record in regular season matches, and is one of three Vikings to reach the 20-win milestone this season.
As a five-time Horizon League Singles Player of the Week, Vicario enters tournament play having won four straight matches and six of her last nine.
In doubles, Vicario has spent the spring season playing at No. 3 doubles, including a 2-1 record against league opponents.
Vicario is the fifth Viking to be named Freshman of the Year, and the first to earn the honor since 2016, while she is the ninth Viking to earn a spot on the All-League First Team.
SIMA HEREN | FR | SECOND TEAM
Heren earns a spot on the All-League Second Team after finishing with a 16-15 overall record, including a 4-1 mark against league opponents. Heren is one of four Vikings to record 15+ wins on the year, as she has spent the spring campaign playing at No. 2 and No. 3 singles.
Entering #HLTennis Tournament play, Heren has won back-to-back singles matches, and five of her last seven appearances.
Throughout the season, Heren has been part of Cleveland State's top doubles team, notching a 10-5 record at No. 1 doubles with Klara Mrcela. In league matches only, the duo finished with a perfect 2-0 record, earning Horizon League Doubles Team of the Week accolades.
Heren is the 16th Viking to earn a spot on the All-League Second Team.
KLARA MRCELA | R-SR | SECOND TEAM
Mrcela was named to the All-League Second Team after posting a 9-8 record throughout a shortened spring campaign due to injury. Mrcela, who appeared at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots in the singles lineup, finished with a perfect 5-0 record against league opponents.
Entering tournament play, Mrcela is on a five-match win streak, and has won six of her last seven matches.
In doubles, Mrcela has been part of Cleveland State's top doubles team, notching a 10-5 record at No. 1 doubles with Sima Heren. In league matches only, the duo finished with a perfect 2-0 record, earning Horizon League Doubles Team of the Week accolades.
This marks the third time that Mrcela has been named to the All-League Second Team, as she becomes the sixth Viking all-time to earn three all-league accolades.
Mrcela's Previous Horizon League Honors: Second Team (2019, 2021)
FRANK POLITO | COACH OF THE YEAR
Polito was named the Coach of the Year after guiding the Vikings to the Horizon League Regular Season Championship following the team's first-ever undefeated #HLTennis slate. The Vikings recorded a perfect 6-0 record against league opponents this spring, and picked up their fifth regular season title.
Entering tournament play, the Vikings own a 12-10 overall record, and have won six straight matches and seven of their last eight outings.
This marks the first Coach of the Year honor for Polito, as he becomes the third Cleveland State head coach to earn the accolade.
2022 Horizon League Women's Tennis All-League
Player of the Year: Agnes Gustafsson, UIC
Co-Freshman of the Year: Oihane Vicario, Cleveland State and Liza Mladentseva, Oakland
Herb Foster Sportsmanship Award: Maria Koo, Northern Kentucky
Coach of the Year: Frank Polito, Cleveland State
All-Horizon League First Team
Oihane Vicario, Cleveland State
Mayya Perova, Milwaukee
Maria Koo, Northern Kentucky
Liza Mladentseva, Oakland
Agnes Gustafsson, UIC
Cecilia Rosas, Youngstown State
All-Horizon League Second Team
Sima Heren, Cleveland State
Klara Mrcela, Cleveland State
Ana Jover, UIC
Tamara Malazonia, UIC
Julia Marko, Youngstown State
Eliska Masarikova, Youngstown State
