MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team began its spring season Saturday, as the Vikings picked up a pair of victories against Duquesne (4-3) and Tiffin (5-2). This marks the seventh time that the Vikings have posted a win in the season-opener under head coach Brian Etzkin's guidance, while it is the fourth time that Vikings are starting the season 2-0.
Cleveland State vs. Duquesne
To begin the doubleheader, the Vikings were able to escape with a 4-3 win over Duquesne, picking up the doubles point along with wins at No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 singles.
"The men had a good match to start the day against Duquesne, I thought they looked sharp and played aggressive tennis to pick up the season-opening win after fighting through some adversity," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "It was a close match throughout singles play, and I thought it was key that Joe picked up his win by taking two tiebreakers. Andre and Kevin also picked up some solid wins for us, as Kevin was really proud to clinch the match for the Vikings against his hometown team. Overall it was a good team win and gave us some energy for the evening match of the doubleheader."
In doubles play, Cleveland State picked up victories at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, while the Vikings were also up at No. 3 doubles before the match was called. At the top of the lineup, Joe VanMeter and Andre Mick notched a 6-3 victory, while the doubles team of Benjamin Slade and Kevin Goth earned a 6-2 win at the No. 2 spot. Playing No. 3 doubles for the Vikings against Duquesne were Mirko Radosevic and William Malm, who were up 5-4 and about to close out the match before Cleveland State clinched the doubles point.
Joe VanMeter posted a 7-6 (1), 7-6 (5) win at No. 2 singles - picking up his 62nd career win which ties him for seventh on the Cleveland State all-time wins list.
Cleveland State's final two singles wins came from Andre Mick and Kevin Goth, as Mick posted a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 4 singles and Goth earned a 6-4, 6-2 victory at the No. 5 spot.
Cleveland State 4, Duquesne 3
Doubles:
1.VanMeter/Mick (CSU) def. Stavropoulos/Blasinsky (DUQ), 6-3
2.Slade/Goth (CSU) def. Robinson/Walshe (DUQ), 6-2
3.Radosevic/Malm (CSU) def. Corraro/Kane (DUQ), 5-4, unf
Singles:
1.Corey Robinson (DUQ) def. Mirko Radosevic (CSU), 6-1, 6-2
2.Joe VanMeter (CSU) def. Dimitris Stavropoulos (DUQ), 7-6 (1), 7-6 (5)
3.Adam Blasinsky (DUQ) def. Benjamin Slade (CSU), 6-2, 6-3
4.Andre Mick (CSU) def. Chris Corrao (DUQ), 6-2, 6-3
5.Kevin Goth (CSU) def. Drew Akins (DUQ), 6-4, 6-2
6.Tim Kane (DUQ) def. William Malm (CSU), 6-2, 5-5, ret.
Cleveland State vs. Tiffin
The Vikings were able to continue their strong play in the second match of the doubleheader, picking up a 5-2 victory over Tiffin.
"The team was able to carry its momentum into the nightcap against Tiffin today, as they were able to pick up the early doubles point and then get a few encouraging singles wins," Etzkin said. "Christian played in his first dual match today, stepping into the lineup after an injury to his teammate, and I thought he played hard and made some improvements to his game. I was very proud of the team's effort today, and I am very happy to come away 2-0 after our first day of dual match play."
The Vikings were once again able to pick up the doubles point, gaining victories from Joe VanMeter and Andre Mick at No. 1 doubles (6-3) and Benjamin Slade and Kevin Goth at the No. 2 spot (6-3).
Cleveland State then picked up wins on four of the six singles courts, including VanMeter and Goth who each posted their second singles wins on the day.
VanMeter posted a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Elio Lezama Perez at No. 2 singles, and is now in sole possession of seventh place on the CSU singles wins list with 63 career victories. Goth picked up his win at the No. 5 spot, earning a 6-0, 2-0, retired victory over Justin Kopronica.
Mirko Radosevic picked up his first win at No. 1 singles, notching a 6-2, 6-7 (4), 10-4 victory over Luis Ludena. The final singles win came from Benjamin Slade at No. 3 singles, as he earned a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Agustin Mangone.
The Vikings will try to extend their winstreak to three next weekend, as they will host IUPUI in a 1:00 p.m. match on Friday, January 29.
Cleveland State 5, Tiffin 2
Doubles:
1.VanMeter/Mick (CSU) def. Ludena/Cutting (TIF), 6-3
2.Slade/Goth (CSU) def. Mangone/Fernandes (TIF), 6-3
3.Perez/Kopronica (TIF) def. Radosevic/Sorige (CSU), 6-4
Singles:
1.Mirko Radosevic (CSU) def. Luis Ludena (TIF), 6-2, 6-7 (4), 10-4
2.Joe VanMeter (CSU) def. Elio Lezama Perez (TIF), 6-1, 6-0
3.Benjamin Slade (CSU) def. Agustin Mangone (TIF), 6-3, 6-0
4.Toby Cutting (TIF) def. Andre Mick (CSU), 6-4, 7-6 (6)
5.Kevin Goth (CSU) def. Justin Kopronica (TIF), 6-0, 2-0, ret.
6.Victor Fernandes (TIF) def. Christian Sorige (CSU), 6-0, 6-1
