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Horizon League Play Heats Up For CSU Tennis

Horizon League Play Heats Up For CSU Tennis

April 10, 2009

Contact: Dana Ingraham

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As another big weekend for Cleveland State tennis approaches, the Vikings will be looking to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the Horizon League.

Both the men's and women's programs will have equal opportunities to do so, starting Saturday when CSU will take on UIC at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and following up on Sunday at the same times against Butler. The matches are scheduled to be played outdoors at Cleveland State's Malaga Tennis Center, weather permitting; otherwise play will be moved indoors to River Oaks Racquet Club in Rocky River.

The women's team has won their last three matches in a row, compiling a 4-1 record in the Horizon League. Sophomore Sanda Bjelan, recently moving from No. 6 singles to No. 5, has dominated conference opponents this season, posting a 5-0 record at both positions combined. Bjelan has also won nine out of her last 10 matches and is the first Viking to reach the 20-win mark this season.

Last year, Cleveland State dropped two matches to UIC, falling 4-3 in the regular season and 4-2 in the Horizon League tournament. Saturday's match will be a true test to gauge the Vikings' improvement since 2008 as they battle for one of the top three seeds in the upcoming conference tournament.

The women were defeated in their only meeting with Butler last season, dropping another 4-3 decision. This season the team is on the right track to win the extra point and turn last year's losses into victories.

"The women have been playing solid tennis across the board lately and I think we are prepared both mentally and physically for this weekend's competition," said CSU head coach Brian Etzkin. "Our doubles game is continually improving, and Sanda has been great for us at No. 5. I am looking forward to putting it all together against UIC and Butler and really proving we have the ability to rise to the top of the Horizon League."

On the men's side, the goal for the Vikings has remained unchanged since the first serve of the season: attaining a repeat conference championship.

The team is off to a good start, already 3-0 in the Horizon League with the chance to pick up two more wins this weekend. CSU handed UIC two losses last year, defeating the Flames 5-2 and 4-1 in the regular season and conference tournament. The Vikings were edged by Butler, 4-3, a result they will be looking to reverse on Sunday.

The men's doubles game is beginning to come together in the way Coach Etzkin believed it would, which, coupled with the Vikings' strong singles threat, could be a recipe for success against two tough teams. Phil Orno and Ryan Hamning are unbeaten against conference opponents at first doubles this season and 14-2 overall. Hamning has also won seven of his last 10 singles matches. Joining him in this category is Rob Fox, the first Viking on the men's side to reach 20 wins this year.

"With every match we are one step closer to our ultimate goal of a second championship, and we have two more important steps to climb this weekend," Etzkin said. "It will be a battle at every position but with our strength and determination I believe we can produce the results we are looking for."