ANN ARBOR, Mich. – For the ninth straight season the Cleveland State men's tennis team will be making an appearance in the Horizon League Tournament Semifinals, as the No. 5 Vikings posted a 4-0 victory over fourth-seeded Youngstown State in a First Round contest on Friday afternoon.
"This was a great team effort today, as we were able to turn around a 4-3 loss that we had against this team during the regular season. We didn't allow Youngstown State to put any points on the board today, and although they were playing with a shortened lineup, they were still a very dangerous team to face in the first round," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We were able to get on the board early after a gutsy performance from No. 2 doubles, and were then able to pick up three straight singles points for the match win."
For the eighth time out of the last 10 matches the Vikings were able to get out to the early 1-0 lead, picking up the doubles point against Youngstown State. Cleveland State was able to get a default win at No. 3 doubles, and then battled for a 7-6 (6) come-from-behind victory from Colton Buffington and Kevin Goth at the No. 2 spot.
Cleveland State was then able to add to its lead at the start of singles play, picking up a default win at No. 6 singles.
The Vikings' third point from Second Team All-Horizon League honoree Mirko Radosevic at No. 2 singles, as he earned a 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory over Yossi Dahan. The win marked Radosevic's 19th of the season, and brings him within one win of his first 20-win season as a Viking.
The clinching point came from Goth at No. 5 singles then, as he pulled out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over Gabriel Tolesani. Goth's victory evened his singles record this spring, as he finished the day with an 11-11 record during dual match play.
"Mirko and Kevin both posted good singles wins for us today, with Mirko beating a player that had a very good season and Kevin coming from down a set to clinch the match. Both players stepped up under the pressure and helped us stay alive in the Horizon League Tournament. We have now earned the opportunity to take on top-seeded Valparaiso, and we are very excited to get another chance at this team," Etzkin said.
The Vikings will now take on top-seeded Valparaiso in semifinal action, with first serve slated for 3:00 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, April 30).
No. 5 Cleveland State 4, No. 4 Youngstown State 0
Doubles:
1. Morth/Reyes (YSU) def. VanMeter/Mick (CSU), 6-0
2. Buffington/Goth (CSU) def. Mekawi/Dahan (YSU), 7-6 (6)
3. Radosevic/Slade (CSU) win by default
Singles:
1. Joe VanMeter (CSU) vs. Hugo Morth (YSU), 2-6, 6-3, 2-5, unf.
2. Mirko Radosevic (CSU) def. Yossi Dahan (YSU), 6-2, 7-6 (3)
3. Colton Buffington (CSU) vs. Bassem El Mekawi (YSU), 2-6, 7-6 (5), 2-2, unf.
4. Benjamin Slade (CSU) vs. Agustin Reyes (YSU), 6-4, 2-6, 3-4, unf.
5. Kevin Goth (CSU) def. Gabriel Tolesani (YSU), 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
6. Andre Mick (CSU) win by default
