COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team finished play at the ITA Midwest Regional Saturday, with competitors bowing out of both the Main Singles Draw and the Main Doubles Bracket.
Matt Kuelker, who was the first Viking to advance to the Round of 32 in the main singles draw since 2009, dropped his second round match today, falling to eighth-seeded Drew Lied of Michigan State (7-6, 6-3).
"I thought Matt Kuelker was playing at a very high level this weekend, both of his singles matches were hard fought matches and he was playing good tennis in both," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "During his match today he had some opportunities to take the first set, but he just couldn't close it out. Despite his opponent really controlling the second set, Matt was focused and played solid tennis until the end."
After the first round, CSU had two doubles teams still alive in the main bracket – but both duos dropped their Round of 32 matches Saturday afternoon. Ali Shabib and Jorg van der Vloet fell to a Michigan State duo that was seeded No. 16, while Matt Kuelker and Manuel Bellutti fell to the second-seeded doubles team from Ohio State.
"We came across two good Big Ten teams today in doubles action, and they both played very aggressive tennis and we just weren't able to get anything working for us," Etzkin said. "I saw some good things throughout the weekend, and I definitely see some potential for the upcoming spring season. There have been lots of positives throughout the fall tournament schedule, and we look forward to getting back after it during the spring."
The Vikings will now take a break from competition, and will get back to action during the spring season. CSU's first spring match will take place on January 24, 2014 against Western Michigan.
CSU Results
Main Singles Draw
Drew Lied (MSU) def. Matt Kuelker (CSU), 7-6, 6-3 (Round of 32)
Main Doubles Draw
Linders/Pfister (MSU) def. Shabib/van der Vloet (CSU), 8-3 (Round of 32)
Kobelt/Metka (OSU) def. Kuelker/Bellutti (CSU), 8-3 (Round of 32)
