May 13, 2005

Contact: Chris Urban

European tennis players Oliver Dhaine and Rob West have signed national letters of intent to attend Cleveland State and play tennis beginning in the fall of 2005. Head coach Brian Etzkin made the announcement on Friday (May 13).

"These two players, combined with the addition of Steven Wipprecht, a healthy Brad Groleski and the rest of the returnees, should put us in the position to climb back into the top half of the Horizon League," Etzkin said.

Dhaine, a junior transfer from Angers, France, spent the past two years at Ecole Superieure des Sciences Commerciales Angers where he studied marketing, management and finance. He is an offensive baseliner with a big serve and has the ability to attack off both sides.

"Olivier has the chance to come in and play at or near the top of the lineup," Etzkin said. "We are excited to have an experienced player who is also a good student join the team."

West, a high school graduate from Gurnsey, Channel Islands in the United Kingdom, played tennis at Millfield School, one of the top sporting schools in England. Last season, he helped the team to a third-place finish nationally. He will bring an all-court game to the Vikings thanks to a strong forehand and serve.

"Rob is a player that comes to us with national tournament exposure," Etzkin said. "His game will only get better during college, because he has some weapons to build around. He also has a proven track record in the classroom and will fit in nicely both athletically and academically."

Dhaine and West will are the second and third players to join the men's tennis team this season. High school senior Steven Wipprecht signed a letter of intent at the end of the early signing period back in November.