April 22, 2009

Contact: Dana Ingraham

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Junior tennis player Phil Orno has been selected as Horizon League Player of the Week for the last week of the regular season, the league office announced Wednesday afternoon.

This is the fourth time this spring that Orno has been awarded this honor. He was also recognized by the league Feb. 4, March 4, and most recently last week on April 15.

Orno's award-winning performance this time around came during CSU's last homestand of the year against Wright State and Valparaiso, as he helped lead the Vikings to a perfect (7-0) finish against Horizon League opponents.

He won both of his matches at No. 1 singles in straight sets, and teamed up with Ryan Hamning to pick up two more wins at first doubles. The junior tandem finished the regular season unbeaten in conference play and 18-2 overall.

Orno has won his last five matches and finishes the regular season with a 17-4 mark at the top of the lineup this spring.

"Phil is our leader on the court," said Cleveland State head coach Brian Etzkin. "He has been attacking each match like he is on a mission. He is confident and playing his best tennis at the right time - heading into the conference tournament."

Orno, Hamning, and the rest of the Viking clan will travel to Indianapolis, Ind. this weekend for the Horizon League tournament. CSU is scheduled to face Youngstown State in Friday's first round at 1:00 p.m.

"If Phil and the team continue to compete at this level, we have the potential to accomplish great things in Indianapolis."