Feb. 8, 2009
Contact: Dana Ingraham
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State women's tennis team improved its winning streak to five on Saturday as the Vikings defeated Niagara and Robert Morris in the final two matches of the first homestand of 2009.
In a 5-2 win over Niagara, CSU welcomed the return of Charlotte Gibbons, appearing for the first time this season due to injury. Gibbons and Catrine Bjerrehus teamed up for an 8-3 win at first doubles, leading the Cleveland State doubles charge - the Vikings did not drop a doubles match against either opponent.
Horizon League Player of the Week, Myra Pepino, put together a strong performance at No. 4 singles, winning 7-5, 6-3.
"The match against Niagara was a good one to prepare us for the rest of the season," said Cleveland State coach Brian Etzkin. "They played us even early on, and the bottom of our lineup really stepped up to pull us ahead. It was good to have Charlotte back in the lineup as well and to be back up to a full lineup of six players."
CSU completed a 7-0 sweep of Robert Morris to close out the evening. As a team the Vikings only dropped two games to the Colonials in singles and doubles combined. The pair of Melissa Holzinger and Molly Drake played together for the first time this spring, earning two wins at the third spot.
"It is nice to be able to put different players together when we need to and still be able to fight hard and stay competitive," Etzkin said. "Against Robert Morris, we were in control from the start and were able to use the time to improve and get ready for Akron."
The women's team, now 5-2, will travel to Akron on Friday, Feb. 13 for its lone match of the weekend.
Cleveland State 5, Niagara 2
Feb. 7, 2009 at River Oaks Racquet Club
Doubles
1. Gibbons/Bjerrehus (CSU) def. Hansen/Lucas (NU), 8-3
2. Pepino/Bjelan (CSU) def. Solis/Cunnington (NU), 8-0
3. Holzinger/Drake (CSU) vs. Lakic/Walters (NU), 9-7
Singles
1. Hilary Hansen (NU) def. Charlotte Gibbons (CSU), 6-0, 7-6(5)
2. Catrine Bjerrehus (CSU) def. Raquel Solis (NU), 6-0, 6-3
3. Alyssa Lucas (NU) def. Melissa Holzinger (CSU), 6-1, 6-4
4. Myra Pepino (CSU) def. Vanja Lakic (NU), 7-5, 6-3
5. Sanda Bjelan (CSU) def. Emma Cunnington (NU), 6-3, 6-1
6. Molly Drake (CSU) vs. Victoria Tiso (NU), 6-1, 6-1
Cleveland State 7, Robert Morris 0
Feb. 7, 2009 at River Oaks Racquet Club
Doubles
1. Gibbons/ Bjerrehus (CSU) def. Delorie/Shaw (RMU), 8-0
2. Pepino/Bjelan (CSU) def. Rudneva/Olausson (RMU), 8-0
3. Holzinger/Drake (CSU) def. Meier/Dalphon (RMU), 8-1
Singles
1. Charlotte Gibbons (CSU) def. Kali Delorie (RMU), 6-0, 6-0
2. Catrine Bjerrehus (CSU) def. Ekaterina Rudneva (RMU), 6-0, 6-0
3. Melissa Holzinger (CSU) def. Libby Shaw (RMU), 6-0, 6-0
4. Myra Pepino (CSU) def. Maria Olausson (RMU), 6-1, 6-0
5. Sanda Bjelan (CSU) def. Sara Meier (RMU), 6-0, 6-0
6. Molly Drake (CSU) def. Gwen Dalphon (RMU), 6-0, 6-0