BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Cleveland State men's tennis team returned to the road to continue its spring campaign Friday evening, dropping a 4-3 contest at Buffalo.
"Despite the outcome, I thought we had some great energy on the courts today, and I can tell that we are building something special," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We took a step forward in doubles today, but Buffalo was able to get the best of us on the singles courts. Max played a very clean match today, while Raul handled some pressure points very well on his court, and our freshmen continue to grow in each match that they are on the courts for us."
The Vikings opened the match with the early 1-0 lead after picking up the doubles point with wins at the top two spots in the lineup. Kade Mindry and Raul Teichmann battled for a 7-6(4) win at No. 1 doubles, while Carl Gedlitschka and JuandeDios Abboud posted a 6-4 victory at the No. 2 spot.
With their win at No. 1 doubles, Mindry and Teichmann now have a team-best 8-5 record this year, including a 4-2 mark this spring.
Buffalo was then able to even the match with a win at No. 5 singles, before Maxime Mareschal-Hay gave the Vikings a 2-1 lead with a 6-3, 7-6(5) victory at the top of the singles lineup. Friday's win marked Mareschal-Hay's 10th singles win of the year, as he became the second Viking to reach double-digit singles wins on the season.
Although the Bulls responded with a trio of wins at the No. 6, No. 2 and No. 4 spots to clinch the match, the Vikings were able to put the final point on the board following a 7-6(7), 7-6(2) win from Teichmann at No. 3 singles. Teichmann joins Mareschal-Hay with double-digit singles wins on the year, as he now has a team-best 11-8 record on the year.
The Vikings will return to the courts on Sunday, February 12, hosting Ball State and Niagara inside the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion.
