April 27, 2008
Contact: Jessica Gerich
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Cleveland State men's tennis team defeated the UIC Flames 4-1 on Sunday, clinching the Horizon League Championship and an automatic bid in the NCAA Championships. The Championship is the first in program history.
The Vikings won the doubles point after winning at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles. Sophomore duo of Phil Orno and Ryan Hamning won at No. 1 and senior Brad Groleski and freshman Chris Klepatz won at No. 3 doubles. Both pairs won by an 8-2 score.
CSU carried the momentum into singles competition, winning three of four singles matches. Player of the Year Phil Orno closed out the league campaign with 6-2, 6-0 win over Adriano Liccardo at No. 1. Orno has won 19 consecutive singles matches and finished the league slate undefeated against Horizon League opponents at No. 1 singles.
Freshman Robert Fox defeated Danny Wilson 6-2, 6-3 at No. 5 singles, also concluding the season undefeated in Horizon League play. Junior Rob West won at No. 6 singles, defeating Sean Kreymborg 6-2, 7-6 (3).
The Flames took one point from the Vikings when Sebastian Lystad won 6-3, 6-2 over Brad Groleski at No. 3 singles.
"Coming in as the No. 1 seed added extra pressure, but we came through," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "Winning the doubles point gave us a momentum boost. We lost at No. 3 tying the match at 1-1, then Phil, Robert, and Rob won to clinch the victory. This is unchartered territory for us, we will just look to enjoy what we accomplished and prepare for the post-season."
The Vikings will head to the NCAA tournament on May 9. Campus sites will be determined on Tuesday.
