TEMPE, Ariz. – Following one of the best seasons on the court in recent years, the Cleveland State men's tennis team also had one of their best years in the classroom, earning ITA All-Academic Team recognition, while six individuals were also named ITA Scholar-Athletes.
As a team, the Vikings posted a grade point average of 3.55 for the 2017-18 academic year, which included three individual grade point averages that were 3.8 or higher. Cleveland State was one of four Horizon League teams to pick up ITA All-Academic Team honors, joining IUPUI, Wright State, and Youngstown State.
"This team had such a great season on the courts, and to see that transcend into the classroom is awesome. As a coach, we put a lot of demands on our student-athletes and to see results and rewards like this is a great thing," Head coach Brian Etzkin said. "Their work in the classroom is just as important as their work on the courts, and I'm proud of what they were able to accomplish this year individually, and even more so as a team."
Individually, Gabriel Evtimov, Nico Mostardi, Luke Phillips, Mirko Radosevic, Jack Santilli, and Matthew Terry earned ITA Scholar-Athlete honors, marking the first time in program history that six Vikings have earned the accolade in the same season. Together, this group has combined for 20 Dean's List appearances, 10 Horizon League Honor Roll accolades, and 10 CSU Athletic Academic honors.
Gabriel Evtimov: 3.80 | Accounting
Nico Mostardi: 3.85 | Business & Marketing
Luke Phillips: 3.83 | Business
Mirko Radosevic: 3.55 | Communication Management
Jack Santilli: 3.77 | Business
Matthew Terry: 3.68 | Business
Last season, this group helped guide the Vikings back to the top of the Horizon League, as they captured the 2018 #HLMTEN Tournament title and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This marked the sixth tournament crown in program history, marking the most titles out of all current Horizon League schools.
In order to earn ITA Scholar-Athlete status, a player must meet the following criteria: 1) be a varsity letterwinner, 2) have a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the current academic year, and 3) have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters.
The ITA All-Academic Team award is open to any member program that has a cumulative team grade point average of 3.20 or above for the current academic year.
