Jan. 20, 2007

Complete Results

Contact: Josh Rattray

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Freshman Ryan Hamning won in three sets at No. 3 singles for CSU's only point as the Vikings opened 2007 with a 6-1 loss at Michigan State on Saturday (Jan. 20). The loss is the first of the season for Cleveland State (3-1).

Hamning (13-5) dominated the first set over MSU's Tyler Sauerbrey, 6-0, before Sauerbrey answered with by taking the second set 6-4. Hamning took control of the match in the third set and eventually finished Sauerbrey off, 6-3.

"Ryan played really well," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "He had a great first set and kept his composure when his opponent started playing better. He recovered and finished him off."

Hamning's win is CSU's first ever over a player from Michigan State. It came just one day after Sarah Galon won at the top of the women's lineup against the Spartans in the women's match.

Sophomore Rob West (8-3) had the next most successful effort, forcing a tie-breaker in the second set before falling to MSU's Brendan Knopf, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) at No. 6 singles.

"Rob had some opportunities to force a third set," Etzkin said. "It would have been nice, but he had a very good match.

Freshman Phil Orno (11-5) lost, 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 and junior Brad Groleski fell, 6-3, 6-3 in the second spot.

Senior Dan Singer (5-5) fell at No. 4 singles, 6-2, 6-2 to Scott Rasmussen and sophomore Steven Wipprecht (6-5) dropped a 6-2, 6-1 decision in the fifth spot.

Groleski and Singer had a solid showing at No. 3 doubles, falling 8-5. Orno and Hamning, who combined for a 10-1 doubles mark in the fall lost, 8-4 at No. 1.

The Vikings return to action on Saturday, Jan. 27 at home against St. Francis (PA).