April 26, 2013

Contact: Renee Adam

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - For the eighth straight season the Cleveland State men's tennis team was represented on the All-Horizon League First Team, as sophomore Jorg van der Vloet earned first team honors at Friday night's Horizon League Banquet. The Vikings also had two members named to the All-Horizon League Second Team, with Matt Kuelker and Ali Shabib each earning the accolade.

van der Vloet, who has been playing at No. 1 singles for the Vikings this season, is the seventh Viking all-time to be named to the All-League First Team. He has posted a 9-11 singles record against opponent's top players this spring, including a 3-3 mark in league action.

Kuelker picked up second team honors for the third time in his career, one of just two Vikings to earn the accolade at least three times. He has posted a team-high 12-8 record this spring at No. 2 singles, and tallied a 5-1 mark in league play. Entering Saturday's semifinal contest, Kuelker ranks sixth all-time at CSU with 56 career victories.

Shabib picked up postseason honors for the first time in his career after notching a perfect 6-0 league record at No. 3 singles. On the spring, he has a 9-10 record, playing the majority of the season at the No. 3 spot. Shabib is also part of CSU's top doubles team this season, as he and Niklas Jonsson own a 23-6 record at No. 1 doubles - which ranks fourth all-time on the CSU single season wins list.

The Vikings will begin play at the Horizon League Tournament tomorrow (Saturday, April 27), as they are set to face sixth-seeded Detroit in a 10:00 a.m. semifinal contest. Tomorrow's start time was adjusted due to possible inclement weather in the area.

2013 Horizon League Men's Tennis Awards
Player of the Year: Michael Tenzer, Green Bay
Newcomer of the Year: Sebastian Hagn, Youngstown State
Herb Foster Sportsmanship Award: Craig Cox, Green Bay
Coach of the Year: Mark Thomas, Green Bay

Men's All-League Teams

First Team
Michal Tenzer, Green Bay
Silviu Mistreanu, Youngstown State
Hayden Joblin, Wright State
Lauri Makikalli, Wright State
Jorg van der Vloet, Cleveland State
Erik Finkenbrink, Green Bay

Second Team
Matt Kuelker, Cleveland State
Craig Cox, Green Bay
Alexander Raa, UIC
Sebastian Hagn, Youngstown State
Ali Shabib, Cleveland State
Eric Honert, Valparaiso