March 19, 2009
Contact: Dana Ingraham
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The women's tennis team split the last two matches of its Florida spring training trip on Thursday, falling 6-1 to Coastal Carolina before rallying to defeat Fairleigh Dickinson, 5-2.
Melissa Holzinger picked up the only win for CSU in the early match, handing Coastal Carolina's Kim Webb a 6-4, 6-2 decision at No. 3 singles.
The Vikings were swept in straight sets throughout the rest of the lineup, dropping three doubles matches as well despite a solid effort from Holzinger and Jackie Tabb at the third spot.
"Give Coastal Carolina credit, they are a strong team and they made us work extremely hard for every point," said Cleveland State assistant coach Jay Tee. "While we are disappointed with the end result, we had periods of play where we looked very good. Now, as our conference schedule approaches, we have to find a way to consistently play at the level we know we are capable of."
In the afternoon session, the Vikings looked to settle the score against Fairleigh Dickinson. Doubles play was sharp as CSU picked up victories at all three positions to secure the first point.
After falling behind with two losses at No. 1 and 2 singles, Holzinger notched her second win of the day, defeating Ksenia Chernyshova, 6-3, 6-4. The sophomore finished 4-0 in her Florida campaign, also posting victories against North Dakota and Long Island earlier in the week.
The rest of the women followed in suit, picking up three more wins en route to a 5-2 final.
"After the morning match, we challenged the women to come out with greater focus and intensity, and they responded by playing disciplined, aggressive tennis," said Tee. "I am proud of the team for the way we performed on this trip, and I am looking forward to carrying this success into Horizon League play."
Cleveland State will return home with a 3-1 record in Orlando, bringing its overall spring season record to 10-7.
Next up for the Viking women is a road trip to Youngstown State on Friday, March 27, for their first Horizon League match of the year. First serves are scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Coastal Carolina 6, Cleveland State 1
March 19, 2009, Spring Training Trip
Doubles
1. Bolesky/Brooksbank (CCU) def. Gibbons/Bjerrehus (CSU), 8-6
2. Petkova/Cortes (CCU) def. Pepino/Bjelan (CSU), 8-3
3. Webb/Camberos (CCU) def. Holzinger/Tabb (CSU), 8-7(3)
Singles
1. Lexi Bolesky (CCU) def. Catrine Bjerrehus (CSU), 6-4, 6-3
2. Tina Petkova (CCU) def. Charlotte Gibbons (CSU), 6-3, 6-3
3. Melissa Holzinger (CSU) def. Kim Webb (CCU), 6-4, 6-2
4. Patricia Cortes (CCU) def. Jackie Tabb (CSU), 6-3, 6-2
5. Caitlyn Brooksbank (CCU) def. Myra Pepino (CSU), 6-3, 6-2
6. Maria Camberos (CCU) def. Sanda Bjelan (CSU), 6-1, 6-3
Cleveland State 5, Fairleigh Dickinson 2
March 19, 2009, Spring Training Trip
Doubles
1. Gibbons/Bjerrehus (CSU) def. Prantl/Chernyshova (FDU), 8-5
2. Pepino/Bjelan (CSU) def. Korshunova/Je. DeCarlos (FDU), 8-5
3. Holzinger/Tabb (CSU) def. Martine/Ji. DeCarlos (FDU), 8-0
Singles
1. Julija Korshunova (FDU) def. Catrine Bjerrehus (CSU), 7-6(11-9), 6-1
2. Julia Prantl (FDU) def. Charlotte Gibbons (CSU), 6-2, 2-6(10-7)
3. Melissa Holzinger (CSU) def. Ksenia Chernyshova (FDU), 6-3, 6-4
4. Jackie Tabb (CSU) def. Jess DeCarlos (FDU), 6-1, 6-2
5. Myra Pepino (CSU) def. Jinny DeCarlos (FDU), 6-2, 6-1
6. Sanda Bjelan (CSU) def. Christina Martine (FDU), 6-1, 6-1
