Oct. 24, 2008

Contact: Dana Ingraham

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Cleveland State women's tennis team traveled to Michigan State for the second time this fall, this time to compete in the Wilson/ITA Midwest Regional Tournament.

Freshman Catrine Bjerrehus was one of two Vikings to play in the pre-qualifying singles draw. In her opening match she was defeated by Annie McCarthy of Illinois, 6-1, 7-5.

"Catrine was disappointed today, she expected to do some damage but she got tripped up in her first match," said CSU head coach Brian Etzkin. "She was able to pick up her play but she didn't quite get it done the way she wanted to."

Bjerrehus dropped her consolation match to Amanda Griffin of Western Illinois, 6-3, 6-4.

The highlight of the day for CSU was Charlotte Gibbons' three-set consolation victory over Michigan State's Lindsey Lonergan. After falling to Riekie Honiball of Miami (OH), Gibbons won her backdraw match, 6-4, 6-7(5), 13-11.

"This was a very good win for Charlotte today," Etzkin said. "She faced a nationally respected player (Lonergan) and she played tough and finished strong."

Melissa Holzinger was also able to compete in a bonus backdraw match, in which she was defeated by Elena Ivanova of Michigan State. The match was Holzinger's first singles match since she participated in the Detroit Invitational at the beginning of the fall season, due to injury.

"Melissa is admittedly not quite back to full strength yet, but this was a good start to her recovery," Etzkin said.

Bjerrehus and Holzinger will team up for the first time this season to represent Cleveland State in doubles play against Michigan State at 5 p.m. Friday.

Wilson/ITA Midwest Regional Tournament
First Day Results
Pre-Qualifying Round
Annie McCarthy (Illinois) def. Catrine Bjerrehus (CSU), 6-1, 7-5
Riekie Honiball (Miami OH) def. Charlotte Gibbons (CSU), 6-1, 6-1
Consolation Round
Amanda Griffin (W. Illinois) def. Catrine Bjerrehus (CSU), 6-3, 6-4
Charlotte Gibbons (CSU) def. Lindsey Lonergan (Michigan State), 6-4, 6-7(5), 13-11
Bonus Backdraw Match
Elena Ivanova (Michigan State) def. Melissa Holzinger (CSU), 8-2