ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The Cleveland State men's tennis team got back on the winning track Sunday afternoon, picking up a 6-1 victory at St. Bonaventure. The Vikings are now 6-4 on the season.
This marked the ninth straight victory for the Vikings over St. Bonaventure.
"This was a good win for us today against a competitive St. Bonaventure team. The team used a workman's like effort throughout the match, and I am happy to get the bounceback win after yesterday's loss," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We played some good doubles today, and after some competitive first sets in singles, we were able to stretch the leads in the second sets. I'm happy with how the team played in doubles and singles today, and look forward to continuing the spring season next weekend."
For the second time this season the Vikings swept all three doubles matches, giving Cleveland State the early 1-0 advantage. At No. 1 doubles the duo of Joe VanMeter and Andre Mick posted a 6-2 victory, improving to a team-best 6-1 this spring. Colton Buffington and Mirko Radosevic were able to cruise to a 6-0 win at No. 3 doubles, while Benjamin Slade and Kevin Goth earned a 6-4 victory at the No. 2 spot.
The Vikings were able to gain a 2-0 advantage at the start of singles play, as Buffington posted a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles, marking his first win at the top of the lineup. VanMeter then gave Cleveland State a 3-0 lead after picking up a 7-6 (4), 6-3 win at No. 3 singles, posting his team-best seventh singles win of the spring. VanMeter also marked his 68th career victory, and is now just two wins shy of becoming the seventh Viking all-time with 70 career singles wins.
Cleveland State was then able to clinch the match at No. 4 singles, as Goth won his third straight match in a 7-5, 6-2 decision. For the spring, Goth stands at 6-3, including a 2-0 record at the No. 4 spot.
After dropping the No. 2 singles match, the Vikings picked up their final two points at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, as the freshmen duo of Slade and William Malm both picked up victories. Slade earned a 6-4, 6-1 win at the No. 5 spot, while Malm posted a 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 6 singles.
The Vikings will close out the month of February with a pair of matches next weekend, hosting Butler on Friday, February 26 and traveling to Ball State on Sunday, February 28.
Cleveland State 6, St. Bonaventure 1
Doubles:
1. Mick/VanMeter (CSU) def. Irizarry/Blanco (SBU), 6-2
2. Slade/Goth (CSU) def. Martinez/Nobuzawa (SBU), 6-4
3. Buffington/Radosevic (CSU) def. Vasquez/Cruz (SBU), 6-0
Singles:
1. Colton Buffington (CSU) def. Eduardo Irizarry (SBU), 6-3, 6-4
2. Victor Blanco (SBU) def. Mirko Radosevic (CSU), 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
3. Joe VanMeter (CSU) def. Hector Martinez (SBU), 7-6 (4), 6-3
4. Kevin Goth (CSU) def. Miki Nobuzawa (SBU), 7-5, 6-2
5. Benjamin Slade (CSU) def. Marcelo Vasquez (SBU), 6-4, 6-1
6. William Malm (CSU) def. Carlos de La Cruz (SBU), 6-4, 6-4
