April 25, 2008
Contact: Jessica Gerich
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Sophomore Phil Orno capped a stellar season by earning Horizon League Player of the Year honors, as well as a spot on the All-Horizon League first team for the second straight season.
Orno compiled a 17-2 overall record at No. 1 singles, including a 6-0 record in league play and enters the league championship with a 17-match winning streak. Orno also went 13-4 at No. 1 doubles with classmate Ryan Hamning.
"Phil has led this team all season and him receiving this honor caps off a tremendous season," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "Phil has had an unprecedented season in CSU history."
Hamning was also named to the All-League first team after posting a 16-13 record, including 4-2 at No. 2 singles in conference play. Hamning paired with Orno for a 13-4 record as the top doubles team.
"Ryan improved himself all season and showed how he grew as a player," Etzkin said. "It is nice to honor our No. 1 doubles team."
Freshman Robert Fox was named to the All-League second team, after going 7-0 in the Horizon League en route to a 23-7 record. Fox enters the Horizon League Championship with a 14-match win streak.
"This is a great award for Robert and shows the depth of our team, having someone at No. 5 singles receive this honor," Etzkin said.
The women's team was represented on the All-League second team with freshman Melissa Holzinger and Jackie Tabb receiving honors.
Holzinger compiled a 12-8 dual match record at No. 1 singles, while Tabb went 9-8 in dual match action at No. 2 singles. Holzinger and Tabb paired to post a 9-1 doubles record, including 5-1 in league action.
"Melissa and Jackie had a great freshmen campaigns," Etzkin said. "Their goal is to be among the league's elite and they have the ability to get there if they work hard."
Senior Morgan Ungerott received the league's Herb Foster Sportsmanship Award, which recognizes student-athletes who display admirable conduct both on and off the courts. Ungerott is CSU's winningest doubles player (82) in program history.
Cleveland State has had at least one Herb Foster award winner in the three year existence of the award.
"We are very proud of Morgan and the sportsmanship she displays," Etzkin said. "She holds herself to a high level and this award shows it. We have won this award every year in its existence and shows the emphasis we place on sportsmanship."
The Vikings will compete in the Horizon League Championship in Indianapolis, Ind. from April 25-27
