SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State men's tennis team's quest for its ninth Horizon League Tournament title will begin on Saturday, April 29, as the Vikings are set to begin play as the North No. 1 seed in this year's tournament. The Vikings will open the Horizon League Tournament with a semifinal contest against the winner of the South No. 2 Tennessee Tech/North No. 3 Northern Kentucky first round matchup, and a win would put them into the championship contest on Sunday, April 30.
COMPLETE CSU NOTES | #HLTENNIS TOURNAMENT CENTRAL | #HLTENNIS TOURNAMENT BRACKET
CLEVELAND STATE IN THE HORIZON LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
The Vikings have had much success in the Horizon League Tournament under head coach Brian Etzkin, capturing eight tournament titles under his guidance (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2021). Over the last 11 complete seasons the Vikings have advanced to the championship match eight times – the only school to play in the championship match more than five times during that 11-year span. Out of the current Horizon League schools, Cleveland State owns the most Horizon League Regular Season (8) and Tournament Titles (8).
…VIKINGS AS THE NO. 1 SEED
This marks the seventh time that Cleveland State will be playing as a top seed in the Horizon League Tournament, also earning the No. 1 seed during the 2021, 2019, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008 seasons. The Vikings have reached the championship match every year that they have played as the top seed, capturing the tournament title on all five occasions.
…NEW LOOK HORIZON LEAGUE
During the 2023 campaign the Horizon League was split into a North and South Division following the partnership with the Ohio Valley Conference that welcomed Belmont, Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood, Southern Indiana, Tennessee State, and Tennessee Tech. In addition, the Horizon League also added Chicago State for tennis during the 2022-23 academic year.
MARESCHAL-HAY NAMED #HLTENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Earlier this week junior Maxime Mareschal-Hay picked up major honors from the Horizon League, as he was named the #HLTennis Player of the Year. Mareschal-Hay, who also earned a spot on the All-League First Team, is the fourth Viking to be named Player of the Year. Mareschal-Hay has spent the entire 2023 season playing at No. 1 singles, notching a team-best 24 wins on the year, including a perfect 8-0 record against league opponents.
…ERLER & TEICHMANN NAMED ALL-LEAGUE
In addition to Maxime Mareschal-Hay, Mikael Erler and Raul Teichmann also earned All-League honors, with both earning a spot on the All-League Second Team. This marks the second time that Erler has earned all-league accolades, while its the first time that Teichmann has picked up postseason honors.
MARESCHAL-HAY NOTCHES 8-0 #HLTENNIS CAMPAIGN
Through five weeks of Horizon League regular season play, junior Maxime Mareschal-Hay posted a perfect 8-0 singles record. Mareschal-Hay, who picked up all eight wins at No. 1 singles, enters the weekend with a 24-9 overall record on the year and on an eight-match win streak. For his career, Mareschal-Hay owns a 20-3 record against league opponents in singles matches.
TRIO OF VIKINGS REACH 50 CAREER WINS
Throughout the season three Vikings reached the 50-win milestone on their careers, including junior Maxime Mareschal-Hay who enters #HLTennis Tournament play with a team-best 59 career wins. Raul Teichmann currently stands at 57 career victories, while Kade Mindry has 51 career wins. This trio is part of 20 Vikings all-time to reach the 50-win milestone, while Mareschal-Hay is just one win shy of becoming the 15th Viking all-time to reach 60 career wins.
MINDRY & TEICHMANN ON CSU DOUBLES WINS LIST
After posting a team-best 17-11 doubles record through the 2023 regular season, Kade Mindry and Raul Teichmann are currently tied for ninth on the CSU Single-Season Doubles Wins List. Mindry and Teichmann played the entire spring campaign at No. 1 doubles, and are just two wins shy of moving into seventh place on the top-10 list.
#HLTENNIS WEEKLY HONORS
Throughout the season the Vikings have been honored by the Horizon League multiple times, picking up five Singles Player of the Week honors and five Doubles Team of the Week accolades - with the five Singles Player of the Week nods marking a league-best.
Singles Player of the Week:
Maxime Mareschal-Hay (2.15/2.22/4.19), Mikael Erler (3.1/3.29)
Doubles Team of the Week:
Teichmann/Mindry (1.25/2.8/2.22/4.19), Mareschal-Hay/Erler (3.1)
HEAD COACH BRIAN ETZKIN
Brian Etzkin is in his 21st year at the helm of the Vikings, owning a 310-208 dual match record. Etzkin has guided the Vikings to eight Horizon League Tournament titles and eight trips to the NCAA Tournament during his tenure. As the all-time winningest coach in program history, Etzkin is one of the longest tenured coaches in the Horizon League, and is the only men's coach to record 300+ wins at their current school.
