April 7, 2012
Contact: Renee Adam
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CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State women's tennis team picked up its fifth straight victory Saturday afternoon, earning a 6-1 win over Milwaukee. With the win the Vikings improve to 12-7 overall and 4-0 in the Horizon League.
"This was a quality win for us today, Milwaukee has the potential to be the three-seed in the league tournament this season and I definitely have to credit them for the improvements that they have made," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "The doubles point was once again key for us. Kara and Nicole didn't leave many points on the court at No. 3 doubles and it is always good to take the lead after the doubles point."
For the third straight match CSU picked up the doubles point, earning wins at No. 2 and 3 doubles. Alex Power and Alex Bush teamed up for an 8-5 win at the No. 2 spot, while Kara Sherwood and Nicole Janek cruised to an 8-0 win at No. 3 doubles.
After gaining the 1-0 advantage after the doubles matches, Cleveland State knocked off four straight singles wins to take the 5-0 lead. Bush claimed the first singles win for CSU, earning a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 4 singles, while Sherwood cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 win at the No. 3 spot. Maria Lazaris was able to pull out a 7-5, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles, while Power marked her fifth straight victory with a 6-4, 6-0 win at the No. 6 spot.
The Panthers were able to earn a 7-5, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles, before Janek picked up CSU's final victory at the No. 5 spot. Janek posted a 6-1, 5-7, 12-10 win at No. 5 singles, earning her 20th win of the season, becoming the second Viking to reach the 20-win mark this year (Alex Power).
"I thought we played great singles matches throughout the lineup today, really showing the depth that we have this year," Etzkin said. "We were in control on most courts and we played smart tennis. Today's win now puts us in a showdown with UIC next weekend and we are excited to get another chance at them."
Next weekend the Vikings will hit the road for two matches, taking on UIC and Valparaiso. CSU will face UIC at 11:00 a.m. EST on Saturday (April 14), before facing Valparaiso at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday (April 15).
Cleveland State 6, Milwaukee 1
Doubles:
1. Soule/Colarossi (UWM) def. Bjerrehus/Lazaris (CSU), 9-8 (6)
2. Power/Bush (CSU) def. Gow/Fritz (UWM), 8-5
3. Sherwood/Janek (CSU) def. Kurer/Skemp (UWM), 8-0
Singles:
1. SOULE, Maddy (UWM) def. Bjerrehus, Catrine (CSU) 7-5, 6-0
2. Lazaris, Maria (CSU) def. BAILEY, Chelsea (UWM) 7-5, 6-0
3. Sherwood, Kara (CSU) def. FRITZ, Kelly (UWM) 6-3, 6-1
4. Bush, Alexandra (CSU) def. COLAROSSI, Christina (UWM) 6-4, 6-1
5. Janek, Nicole (CSU) def. KURER, Kristin (UWM) 6-1, 5-7, 12-10
6. Power, Alex (CSU) def. SKEMP, Brittany (UWM) 6-4, 6-0
