Sept. 25, 2004
Contact: David Barry
Sarah Galon and Jenn Myers of the Cleveland State women's tennis team competed at the Cissie Leary Invitational on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania over the weekend. Galon won her first round match in the tournament, which featured competition from several well-known and respected tennis schools from across the country.
The Invitational featured the likes of Maryland, Penn State, Columbia, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Arizona, and Temple. The strong field made the tournament a welcomed challenged for coach Brian Etzkin and two of his most talented players.
"We came into this tournament knowing it was against some of the top teams in the nation," coach Etzkin said after the first day of action. "The biggest thing about this competition was that it gave us valuable experience. The girls played against top competition, and the tournament will help us in our matches down the road."
Galon won her first round match over Lindsey Downing of Penn State by a score of 6-2, 6-2. The victory provided an impressive performance over a Big-10 opponent.
"It was awesome beating an opponent from Penn State," Gallon said after the match. "Everyone knows that school and it's a great feeling to earn a win. It was one of my goals to win a match at this tournament, and it was a good experience to be here."
"I was really proud of Sarah," coach Etzkin said after her win. "The next step for her is the next level. I was really proud of both the girls - they both played well. We just need to work on closing big points and developing a weapon."
Galon lost her secound round match on Friday in straight sets to an opponent from Pennsylvania, then dropped a 7-5, 6-3 decision to a girl from Columbia on Saturday. Myers lost her first match, 6-0, 6-1, to an opponent from Pennsylvania before falling in her next two matches to eliminate herself from the tournament. The girls lost both doubles matches they played together.
"Playing in a tournament of this magnitude helps us force our way to the next level," Etzkin said after the tournament. "Playing better players keeps us with a good perspective, and hopefully will prepare us for our matches to come."
The women will take two weeks off before hosting Niagara on Oct. 11 and IPFW the day after at Malaga Tennis Center.