INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Senior Ali Shabib became the ninth Viking all-time to record 50 career singles wins, as he led the Cleveland State men's tennis team to a 4-3 victory at Butler Saturday afternoon. For just the third time since the 2002-03 season, the Vikings are now 2-0 to begin dual match play.

"This was another good win for us today against a quality Butler team. I feel really good about our team and our lineup at this early point in the season, and I can't wait to see what is to come," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We weren't as sharp in doubles today and that showed with the outcome, but we were playing against some very good Butler doubles teams. In singles we were able to pick up a couple of quick first set victories, and then closed out those matches to quickly gain control of the contest. Ali and Joe both played some great tennis at the top of the singles lineup for us – and coming into the season I thought that our depth would be key for us to pick up wins, but so far the top of our lineup has been playing well, which is great to see."

After dropping the doubles point, Cleveland State was able to quickly tie the score at 1-1 with a 6-3, 6-2 victory from Manuel Bellutti at No. 4 singles. The Vikings then extended their lead to 3-1 following singles wins from Shabib and Joe VanMeter at the No. 2 and No. 1 spots, respectively. Shabib's 50^th career win came as a 6-3, 7-5 decision, while VanMeter posted his second straight win at the top of the lineup with a 7-5, 6-3 victory.

The clinching point came from Jorg van der Vloet at No. 3 singles, who came back to post a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory after dropping the first set. After the match was already decided, Butler was able to pick up two singles wins at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots.

The Vikings will now take a week off from competition, returning to action against Ball State in their first home match of the season on Friday, January 30. First serve is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Paramount Tennis Club in Westlake, Ohio.

Cleveland State 4, Butler 3

Doubles

1. Woods/Bhattacharya (BUT) def. Shabib/Buffington (CSU), 6-4
2. O'Neill/Weldon (BUT) def. Bellutti/Radosevic (CSU), 6-3
3. VanMeter/Marks (CSU) vs. Woldmoe/Woldmoe (BUT), 4-5, DNF

Singles

1. Joe VanMeter (CSU) def. Brandon Woods (BUT), 7-5, 6-3
2. Ali Shabib (CSU) def. Austin Woldmoe (BUT), 6-3, 7-5
3. Jorg van der Vloet (CSU) def. Tommy Marx (BUT), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
4. Manuel Bellutti (CSU) def. Pulok Bhattacharya (BUT), 6-3, 6-2
5. Sam O'Neill (BUT) def. Mirko Radosevic (CSU), 6-3, 7-5
6. Billy Weldon (BUT) def. Colton Buffington (CSU), 6-3, 6-4

Order of Finish

Doubles: 2, 1
Singles: 4, 2, 1, 3, 5, 6