SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State women's tennis team's quest for its first-ever Horizon League Tournament title will begin on Saturday, April 29, as the Vikings are set to begin play as the No. 2 seed in this year's tournament. The Vikings will open the Horizon League Tournament with a semifinal contest against the winner of the No. 3 Chicago State/No. 6 Oakland first round matchup, and a win would put them into the championship contest on Sunday, April 30.
COMPLETE CSU NOTES | #HLTENNIS TOURNAMENT CENTRAL | #HLTENNIS TOURNAMENT BRACKET
CLEVELAND STATE IN THE HORIZON LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
The Vikings will be trying for their first Horizon League Tournament title this weekend, and will be making their 16th semifinal appearance - including their 12th straight. Cleveland State has advanced to the championship match of the Horizon League Tournament four times in program history, doing so during the 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2019 campaigns.
…VIKINGS AS THE NO. 2 SEED
This marks the sixth time that Cleveland State will be playing as the No. 2 seed in the Horizon League Tournament, but the first time since the 2019 campaign. When playing as the No. 2 seed, the Vikings have advanced to the championship match three times (2011, 2012, 2019).
#HLTENNIS REGULAR SEASON SLATE
Last time out, the Vikings capped off a 5-1 Horizon League regular season slate with a 6-1 victory over Oakland. This marked Cleveland State's fifth straight win, as the Vikings enter #HLTennis Tournament play having won seven of their last eight contests.
VICARIO NAMED #HLTENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Earlier this week sophomore Oihane Vicario picked up major honors from the Horizon League, as she was named the #HLTennis Player of the Year. Vicario, who also earned a spot on the All-League First Team, is the fourth Viking to be named Player of the Year and the second over the last three seasons. Vicario has spent the entire 2023 season playing at No. 1 singles, notching 19 wins on the year, including a perfect 6-0 record against league opponents.
…HEREN, VEVERE & YAUCH EARN ALL-LEAGUE HONORS
In addition to Oihane Vicario, Sima Heren, Tereze Vevere and Bethany Yauch also earned All-League honors, with all three earning a spot on the All-League Second Team. This marks the second time that Heren earned all-league accolades, while it's the first time that Vevere and Yauch have picked up postseason honors. In addition, Yauch was also named the Herb Foster Sportsmanship Award winner.
VICARIO POSTS PERFECT #HLTENNIS RECORD
Through four weeks of Horizon League regular season play, sophomore Oihane Vicario posted a perfect 6-0 singles record. Vicario, who picked up all six wins at No. 1 singles, enters the weekend with a 19-14 overall record on the year and on a seven-match win streak. For her career, Vicario owns a 10-1 record against league opponents in singles matches.
YAUCH NOTCHES 50th CAREER SINGLES WIN
Earlier this season, junior Bethany Yauch eclipsed the 50-win mark for her career, and enters #HLTennis Tournament play with 53 career wins. Yauch, who is one of 17 Vikings all-time to reach the 50-win milestone, recorded her 20th singles win of the season last time out, becoming the second Viking to reach 20-wins this year.
VEVERE & FRANZ ON CSU DOUBLES WINS LIST
After posting a team-best 15-3 doubles record through the 2023 regular season, Tereze Vevere and Ella Franz are currently tied for 10th on the CSU Single-Season Doubles Wins List. Vevere and Franz finished regular season play with a perfect 5-0 mark against league opponents, and are just one win shy of moving into ninth place on the list.
#HLTENNIS WEEKLY HONORS
Throughout the season the Vikings have been honored by the Horizon League multiple times, picking up eight Singles Player of the Week honors and five Doubles Team of the Week accolades - league-leading marks in both categories.
Singles Player of the Week:
Sima Heren (2.8), Tereze Vevere (3.8), Oihane Vicario (2.1/3.29/4.12/4.19/4.26), Bethany Yauch (1.25)
Doubles Team of the Week:
Frogner/Tounsi (1.25), Heren/Yauch (3.1/3.29/4.26), Vevere/Franz (4.19)
YAUCH EARNS ALL-ACADEMIC HONORS
Last week, Bethany Yauch earned a spot on the six-member Horizon League All-Academic Team, earning the accolade for the first time in her career. Yauch is currently pursuing a degree in finance, and is a board member of the CSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in addition to serving as a Horizon League SAAC Representative.
HEAD COACH FRANK POLITO
Frank Polito is in his fifth year at the helm of the Vikings - and his 11th season overall at Cleveland State - owning a 59-44 dual match record. Last season, Polito led the Vikings to an undefeated Horizon League slate and Regular Season Championship - their fifth in program history - and has helped the Vikings make two #HLTennis Championship Match appearances.
