WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Cleveland State men's tennis team captured its eighth Horizon League title in program history Sunday, picking up a 4-0 victory over Northern Kentucky in the 2021 #HLTennis Championship Match. The title marks the third straight for the Vikings, marking the second time in program history that Cleveland State has won three straight league crowns.
Sunday's win put Cleveland State at 18-4 this season, and extended the Vikings' current win streak to 15 straight matches – which is tied for the second longest active win streak among Division I teams.
In addition, the win also extended Cleveland State's win streak against Horizon League opponents to 25 – including regular season and tournament matches.
The Vikings, who were making their 11th championship match appearance in program history – and fourth straight – are now 30-10 in Horizon League Tournament play under head coach Brian Etzkin.
Cleveland State was able to once again get out to the early 1-0 lead after picking up the doubles point for the 19th time this season. The Vikings earned wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, with Nico Mostardi and Luke Phillips earning a 6-1 win at the top of the lineup and Clark Bilinovich and Kade Mindry posting a 6-0 victory at the No. 3 spot.
With their win at No. 1 doubles, Mostardi and Phillips are now tied for fourth on the CSU Doubles Wins List with 26 victories as a tandem.
To begin singles play, Horizon League Player of the Year Matthew Terry gave the Vikings a quick 2-0 advantage with a win at No. 2 singles, as he picked up a 6-2, 6-0 victory. Terry's win put him at 15-4 on the season, while it marked his 92nd career singles win.
Phillips then gave the Vikings a 3-0 lead after picking up a win at the No. 4 spot, posting a 7-6(5), 6-1 victory to put Cleveland State just one point away from their eighth Horizon League title. With the win, Phillips improves to 17-3 on the season – tied for the league-lead – while it marked the 81st victory of his career.
Cleveland State's clinching point came at No. 6 singles then, as JuandeDios Abboud notched a 6-3, 7-5 victory to close out the 4-0 win for the Vikings.
With the three wins against NKU in today's championship match, the Vikings finished the year with a 46-8 record in singles matches against Horizon League teams.
Cleveland State will now be making their eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament – all of which have come under head coach Brian Etzkin – and will find out their first round opponent in the NCAA Selection Show tomorrow night (Monday, May 3) at 6:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
