CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team got back in the win column Saturday afternoon, picking up a 6-1 victory over Northern Kentucky.
"It was a good bounce back day for us today, our doubles were really crisp and No. 1 doubles getting out to an early lead set the tone for us," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We were able to pick up all six first sets, which allowed our energy to stay at a high level throughout the match. Austin stepped into the lineup and picked up a quick 6-0 first set victory, giving the entire team a boost. Hopefully today's win is the start of another streak."
For the second straight match the Vikings were able to pick up the early doubles point, earning matching 6-2 wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Clark Bilinovich and Raul Teichmann notched the win at the top of the lineup, while Maxime Mareschal-Hay and Mikael Erler earned the victory at the No. 3 spot.
Mareschal-Hay gave the Vikings a quick 2-0 advantage to begin singles play then, as he earned a 6-2, 6-2 win at the top of the lineup. Bilinovich then put Cleveland State up 3-0 with a 7-5, 6-1 win at the No. 5 spot, while Erler clinched the match for the Vikings with a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 2 singles.
With their wins, Marsechal-Hay and Erler both notched their 15th singles wins of the year, while Erler also improved to a team-best 11-5 this spring.
Austin Staiger picked up the next point for the Vikings, earning a 6-0, 7-5 win at No. 6 singles, before Kade Mindry posted a 6-2, 7-6(7) win at the No. 3 spot. Mindry's win improved him to a team-best 17-14 overall this season.
NKU's lone point of the day came at No. 4 singles, putting the final match score at 6-1 Cleveland State.
The Vikings will continue Horizon League play on the road next weekend, traveling to IUPUI on Saturday, April 2 and UIC on Sunday, April 3.
