ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Cleveland State women's tennis team concluded play at the ITA Midwest Regional Friday, with two teams competing in the Main Doubles Draw. The Vikings were represented by the tandems of Kara Sherwood/Mathilde Orange and Victoria Bensimon/Princess Gbadamosi.
"Overall we played some good doubles today, each team picked up a win and fought hard until the end of all four matches," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "Kara and Mathilde had a good first round match, and their draw in the second round was a bit unfortunate, but playing the best teams and competing against the best opponents is what we have to do to improve. Despite the tough matchup, Kara and Mathilde played well throughout the match, and in three of the games they had a combination of five break points – and if they capitalize on them each time it's a different match. Victoria and Princess lost their first round match, but played very well in their consolation match and I'm excited about their potential heading into the spring season."
In their opening round match, Sherwood and Orange claimed an 8-2 victory over Vanessa Madrigal and Tori Turner of Wright State, advancing to the Round of 32. Sherwood and Orange then went up against the top-seeded doubles team at the regional in their second round match, falling to Michigan's Emina Bektas and Brooke Bolender, 8-3.
Bensimon and Gbadamosi dropped their opening round match Friday, falling to IPFW's Marcy Huck and Kristine Lindal, 8-3. The duo then played a consolation match against Wright State's Linsey Verstrepen and Elaine Cloern, earning an 8-4 victory over the Raider duo.
"We got a good look at all of our players throughout the fall season, and the next time we step on the court will be for our first spring match," Etzkin said. "After the fall season, I'm really excited to see what this team can do during the spring and hopefully they all continue to improve throughout the break so that we are ready to go come January."
Cleveland State will now take a break from competition until the spring season, which begins at Penn State on January 18, 2014.
CSU Results
Main Doubles Draw
Sherwood/Orange (CSU) def. Madrigal/Turner (WSU), 8-2 - Round of 64
Betkas/Bolender (UM) def. Sherwood/Orange (CSU), 8-3 – Round of 32
Huck/Lindal (IPFW) def. Bensimon/Gbadamosi (CSU), 8-3 – Round of 64
Consolation Doubles
Bensimon/Gbadamosi (CSU) def. Verstrepen/Cloern (WSU), 8-4
