WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Cleveland State men's tennis team picked up a dominating 4-0 victory against IUPUI in the Horizon League Semifinals on Saturday, earning a trip to Sunday's #HLTennis Championship. With the win, the top-seeded Vikings improve to 17-4 overall this season and will be making their 11th appearance in the title match when they take the court tomorrow.
Saturday's semifinal win also extended Cleveland State's current win streak to 14-straight matches, while also marking the 24th straight victory for the Vikings against league teams in regular season and tournament play.
For the 18th time this season the Vikings were able to pick up the early doubles point, as they got wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Matthew Terry and Maxime Mareschal-Hay picked up a 6-4 win at the No. 2 spot, while Clark Bilinovich and Kade Mindry clinched the point with a 6-2 victory at No. 3 doubles. Terry and Mareschal-Hay improved to a team-best 11-4, while Bilinovich and Mindry now own a perfect 5-0 record this year.
Nico Mostardi quickly gave the Vikings a 2-0 advantage to begin singles play, as he cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 win at the top of the lineup. With the win, Mostardi now has 90 career singles wins – one of four Vikings with 90+ victories on their careers.
Cleveland State's next two points came in quick succession, as Mareschal-Hay and Mindry finished off their matches at No. 3 and No. 6 singles almost at the same time to clinch the 4-0 victory for the Vikings.
The Horizon League Freshman of the Year, Mareschal-Hay, picked up a 6-0, 6-1 victory at the No. 3 spot, while Mindry posted a 6-4, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles. Mareschal-Hay improved to 17-4 on the season – with the 17 wins leading all league players – while Mindry won his fourth straight match after coming back from injury last month.
In the final three matches left on court, Terry, Luke Phillips and Bilinovich were all up a set at the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 spots, respectively.
The Vikings now stand at 29-10 in Horizon League Tournament play under head coach Brian Etzkin.
Saturday's match marked the third meeting between Cleveland State and IUPUI this season, with the Vikings picking up wins in all three matches.
Cleveland State will face the winner of the No. 2 Northern Kentucky/No. 3 Youngstown State semifinal match in tomorrow's championship contest, with first serve set for 3:00 p.m.
