TEMPE, Ariz. – For the first time in program history, the Cleveland State men's tennis team has a player ranked in the Oracle/ITA Division I Men's Singles Rankings, as junior Nico Mostardi finished the 2018 fall season ranked No. 113.
COMPLETE ORACLE/ITA NATIONAL RANKINGS
Mostardi finished the fall season with an 8-4 singles record, and is one of just 22 players from mid-major schools to be ranked in the top-125. Mostardi is also the only player from the Horizon League to appear in the rankings.
"This is such a great honor for Nico and our Cleveland State men's tennis team," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "Here at Cleveland State we all know that Nico is a great player, but it's fantastic that he is now getting some national recognition. Ever since he stepped foot on campus as a freshman, he has been working hard to improve his game and become the best collegiate tennis player that he can be. He has a great work ethic on and off the court, and it's great to see all of his hardwork paying off."
As the reigning Horizon League Player of the Year, Mostardi was invited to the Oracle ITA Masters to begin the fall season, while he also earned a spot in the Qualifying Draw of the ITA All-American Championship. For the third time in his career, Mostardi appeared in the Main Singles Draw at the ITA Midwest Regional, while he wrapped up the fall season with a perfect 5-0 record at the Viking Invitational to claim the singles title for the third straight year.
As part of his 5-0 weekend at the Viking Invitational, Mostardi notched his 50th career singles win, becoming the 14th Viking all-time to reach the milestone.
Mostardi enters the spring season with a 54-31 career singles record – playing his entire career at the top of the lineup – and is just six wins shy of earning a spot in the top-10 on the CSU Singles Wins List.
