VALPARAISO, Ind. – For the first time in program history, the Cleveland State women's tennis team finished the regular season at the top of the Horizon League standings, clinching the regular season title with a 7-1 record. The Vikings finished regular season play Saturday afternoon, posting their third sweep of the season, as they defeated Valparaiso, 7-0.
"This was a good team victory today, after struggling in doubles play, we were able to play from ahead in all of the singles matches and came away with the win to clinch the regular season title," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "Coming into today's match we knew that we just had to take care of business and play solid Cleveland State tennis – and that is exactly what they did. I am so proud of this group and what they have accomplished so far this season. We got off to a slow start at the beginning of our spring slate, but we have continued to improve and continued to play determined tennis that has led us to where we are now."
For the first time in the last three matches, the Vikings got the early 1-0 lead, after sweeping the doubles matches. The No. 2 doubles team of Kara Sherwood and Mathilde Orange cruised to an 8-1 victory, while Alex Bush and Victoria Bensimon earned an 8-5 win at the No. 3 spot, and Alex Power and Ellen Folkers battled for an 8-6 victory at the top of the lineup.
The momentum then continued throughout singles play for Cleveland State, as the Vikings picked up straight set victories across the board.
Bensimon extended her current win streak to seven straight matches with a 6-0, 6-3 win at the No. 6 spot, and finished the regular season with a perfect 6-0 mark in league singles play. Lauren Golick and Orange both extended their win streaks to five straight matches - Golick with a 6-3, 6-0 victory at the top of the lineup and Orange with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 4 singles. With the win, Golick finished the regular season with a team-best 7-1 mark in league singles play.
Bush picked up a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles for the Vikings, improving her spring record to 13-8 – a team-high. The final point of the day came from Princess Gbadamosi at the No. 5 spot, as she earned a convincing 6-0, 6-1 victory.
Next up for Cleveland State will be the Horizon League Tournament (April 25 – 27), which will be hosted at the University of Michigan. The Vikings enter the tournament as winners of their last five matches, and eight of their last nine. The Vikings also will receive a bye into the semifinals of the tournament, following their regular season finish.
Cleveland State 7, Valparaiso 0
Doubles:
- Alex Power/Ellen Folkers (CSU) def. Kristin Zakiewicz/Kaitlyn Hammel (VALPO), 8-6
- Kara Sherwood/Mathilde Orange (CSU) def. Michele Fredlake/Angelina Goheen (VALPO), 8-1
- Alex Bush/Victoria Bensimon (CSU) def. Megan Barthels/Paige Heuer (VALPO), 8-5
Singles:
- Lauren Golick (CSU) def. Kaitlyn Hamel (VALPO), 6-3, 6-0
- Alex Bush (CSU) def. Kristin Zakiewicz (VALPO), 6-3, 6-0
- Kara Sherwood (CSU) def. Paige Heuer (VALPO), 6-3, 6-1
- Mathilde Orange (CSU) def. Megan Barthels (VALPO), 6-2, 6-1
- Princess Gbadamosi (CSU) def. Michele Fredlake (VALPO), 6-0, 6-1
- Victoria Bensimon (CSU) def. Morgan Paras (VALPO), 6-0, 6-3
