Sept. 20, 2003
CLEVELAND - Cleveland State swept the doubles matches and claimed five of the six singles matches in opening the 2003-04 season with a 6-1 win over St. Francis at the Malaga Tennis Center on Saturday.
"This was a great victory for us today," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We lost, 5-2, to this same team a year ago, so it's great to almost get the sweep. It shows our returnees have improved, and we've got some very strong freshmen this year. The whole team got into the scoring today, this was a total team victory."
In doubles play, Sarah Galon and Morgan Ungerott defeated Amy Crosley and Leslie Wenzel at No. 1, 8-0, while Rebekah Bicksler and Marcie Capoziello beat Mallary Palmer and Becky Seybold by the same score at No. 3. Paulina Reyes and Amanda Cerney beat Jess Wanchalk and Allison Arcurio in the other doubles match, 8-3.
"We opened really hot in doubles, and it carried over into singles play," Etzkin said. "That's something we didn't do well last year, we're more solid in doubles play this season."
In singles play, the Vikings took wins on the No. 3 through No. 6 spots, while also picking up a win at No. 1. Galon and Capoziello each picked up their first collegiate win at No 1 and No. 4, respectively, while Bicksler, Reyes and Cerney all got their first win of the season under their belts.
"Becksler's play at No. 3 was huge for us," Etzkin said. "She's playing at far less than 100 percent, but she came away from today with a pretty easy win."
The Vikings will next play UW-Green Bay on Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Malaga Tennis Center, in the Horizon League opener for both teams.
"We're playing with a lot of confidence right now," Etzkin said. "Having won today, I think we all feel more confident heading into our first conference match."
