March 8, 2009

Contact: Dana Ingraham

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland State women's tennis suffered its first loss at home this year Friday night, falling 5-2 to a much improved IPFW team.

CSU dropped the doubles point early in the evening, losing close matches at the second and third spots.

The Vikings' only wins came in straight sets at No. 2 and No. 4 singles from Catrine Bjerrehus and Jackie Tabb. The two victories represent the first points CSU has scored since Feb. 13, having been shutout in its last two outings.

"The IPFW loss was a disappointing one because there were a lot of missed opportunities," said Cleveland State head coach Brian Etzkin. "We had a good win at first doubles but got down 3-0 at the second and third spot. We need to come out much stronger if in order to win a doubles point.

"In singles we had a few set points that we didn't close out. Sometimes opportunities only come once in a match and we need to take advantage of them. Unfortunately, we were not able to do that against Ft. Wayne."

The loss brings the women's record to 5-1 at home and 5-6 overall.

IPFW 5, Cleveland State 2
March 6, 2009 at River Oaks Racquet Club

Doubles
1. Gibbons/Bjerrehus (CSU) def. Ballus/Kobayashi (IPFW), 8-5
2. Janek/Recht (IPFW) def. Holzinger/Tabb (CSU), 9-7
3. Brien/Forsyth (IPFW) def. Pepino/Bjelan (CSU), 8-5

Singles
1. Amy Recht (IPFW) def. Charlotte Gibbons (CSU), 6-2, 7-5
2. Catrine Bjerrehus (CSU) def. Ingrid Ballus (IPFW), 6-3, 7-6(3)
3. Sachi Janek (IPFW) def. Melissa Holzinger (CSU), 6-1, 7-5
4. Jackie Tabb (CSU) def. Yuka Kobayashi (IPFW), 6-0, 6-2
5. Katie Brien (IPFW) def. Myra Pepino (CSU), 7-6(5), 7-5
6. Alexandra Forsyth (IPFW) def. Sanda Bjelan (CSU), 7-5, 6-0