CLEVELAND, Ohio – After capturing the Horizon League Regular Season Championship last weekend, the Cleveland State women's tennis team will look to claim its first-ever tournament title this weekend, entering the 2022 Horizon League Tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Vikings will open the Horizon League Tournament with a semifinal contest on Saturday, April 30, and a win would put them into the championship match on Sunday, May 1.  

HORIZON LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | 2022 #HLTENNIS TOURNAMENT BRACKET | MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS 

Horizon League Semifinals
Saturday, April 30 | vs. TBA | 3:00 p.m.
Varsity Tennis Center | Ann Arbor, Mich. 

Horizon League Championship
Sunday, May 1 | vs. TBA | 3:00 p.m.
Varsity Tennis Center | Ann Arbor, Mich.

Cleveland State In The Horizon League Tournament
The Vikings will be trying for their first Horizon League Tournament title this weekend, and will be making their 15^th semifinal appearance – including their 11^th straight. Cleveland State has advanced to the championship match of the Horizon League Tournament four times in program history, doing so during the 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2019 campaigns.  

…Vikings As The No. 1 Seed
This marks the third time that Cleveland State will be playing as the No. 1 seed in the Horizon League Tournament, also doing so during the 2014 and 2016 seasons. When playing as the top seed, the Vikings own a 1-2 record in tournament play, advancing to the championship match during the 2014 campaign.  

#HLTennis Regular Season Slate
Last time out, the Vikings finished off a perfect 6-0 regular season slate against Horizon League opponents, marking their first-ever undefeated #HLTennis schedule. Three of Cleveland State's wins came as 7-0 decisions, as the Vikings picked up sweeps against IUPUI, Milwaukee and UIC (forfeit win).  

Vicario Named #HLTennis Co-Freshman of the Year
Earlier this week newcomer Oihane Vicario picked up major honors from the Horizon League, as she was named the #HLTennis Co-Freshman of the Year. Vicario, who also earned a spot on the All-League First Team, is the fifth Viking to be named the Freshman of the Year, and the first since the 2016 campaign. Vicario has spent the entire 2022 season playing at No. 1 singles, posting a 20-13 overall record.  

…Heren & Mrcela Earn All-League Honors
In addition to Oihane Vicario, Sima Heren and Klara Mrcela also earned All-League honors earlier this week, both earning a spot on the All-League Second Team. This marked the third time that Mrcela earned all-league accolades, while it's the first time that Heren has picked up postseason honors. Mrcela notched a perfect 5-0 record against league opponents at No. 2 singles this year, while Heren is one of four Vikings to record 15+ wins on the season playing at No. 2 and No. 3 singles.  

Polito Named #HLTennis Coach of the Year
After guiding the Vikings to a regular season championship, head coach Frank Polito was named the Horizon League coach of the Year earlier this week. This marks the first postseason accolade for Polito, who is in his fourth year at the helm of the Vikings – and his 10^th season overall at Cleveland State. Entering tournament play, Polito owns a 46-35 dual match record with the Vikings, and has guided Cleveland State to two regular season titles and one #HLTennis Championship match appearance.  

Tounsi Earns All-Academic Honors
Earlier this week, Selma Tounsi earned a spot on the nine-member Horizon League All-Academic Team, earning the accolade for the first time in her career. Tounsi is currently pursuing a degree in business, and has earned a spot on the CSU Dean's List ever semester of her collegiate career.  

#HLTennis Weekly Honors
Throughout the season the Vikings have been honored by the Horizon League multiple times, picking up five Singles Player of the Week honors and two Doubles Team of the Week accolades – with Oihane Vicario being the only five-time Singles Player of the Week honoree.  

Singles Player of the Week:
Oihane Vicario – (1.26/2.2/3.3/4.13/4.26) 

Doubles Team of the Week:
Klara Mrecla/Sima Heren – (1.26)
Selma Tounsi/Bethany Yauch – (2.2) 

Trio Of 20-Win Seasons
Entering #HLTennis Tournament play the Vikings have three players with 20+ singles wins on the year, led by Bethany Yauch who has a team-high 23 singles wins. Joining Yauch in the 20-win club are Oihane Vicario and Tereze Vevere who both recorded their 20^th singles wins against YSU last time out. This marks the first time in 10 years that three Vikings have recorded 20+ singles wins in the same season.