March 9, 2012

Contact: Renee Adam

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Cleveland State Women's Tennis Match Notes

CLEVELAND, OHIO - The Vikings will head south for their Spring Training Trip next week as they travel to Florida for three matches. CSU will open the trip with a 10:00 a.m. match at Embry-Riddle on Sunday (March 11), before facing Florida Atlantic at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday (March 14) and Albany at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday (March 15). Cleveland State enters the week with a 7-5 record and will be playing outside for the first time this season.

Over the past seven matches Mengdi Liu has posted a 4-1 record in singles play along with a pair of wins by default. Two of Liu's wins came last weekend, as she posted a 6-0, 6-0 victory at Dayton and a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 66 Indiana, both at No. 6 singles. So far this spring Liu has posted a 4-3 singles record, playing all seven matches at the No. 6 spot.

Sophomore Alex Power has also been strong in singles play for the Vikings, as she enters the week with an overall record of 16-9 and is on target for her first 20-win season. Power's 16 wins is a team-high, while she also ranks second with a 7-5 record during spring matches only. Prior to her loss at No. 66 Indiana last Sunday, Power had a four-match win streak, claiming victories against Dayton, Oakland, Bowling Green and Case.

Cleveland State has swept the doubles matches during three contests this season, including last weekend at Dayton. The Vikings have also claimed all three doubles matches against Oakland and Case Western Reserve earlier this season.

THE OPPONENTS
Embry-Riddle enters the week with a 7-1 overall record, its lone loss of the season coming to Division II Barry. The Eagles currently rank third in the NAIA Coaches Top-25 poll, and most recently defeated Eastern Kentucky 4-3 in a five-hour battle. Embry-Riddle will face Florida Southern prior to Sunday's match against CSU.

Florida Atlantic is currently 7-3 on the season, dropping their last two contests to Xavier (5-2) and Middle Tennessee State (4-3). The Owls and the Vikings had a similar opponent in Oakland this season, with FAU also claiming a 7-0 victory against the Golden Grizzlies last month. Florida Atlantic will host Stetson and Albany before its contest with the Vikings.

Albany enters the week with a 7-4 record and has split its last four matches, picking up wins against Army and Lehigh. Freshman Kirsten Scott leads the Great Danes with a 7-1 singles record, while senior Aubrey Brooks has posted a 6-2 mark. Albany will face Florida Atlantic before Thursday's match against CSU.