FAIRBORN, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's tennis team opened up Horizon League play with a victory Saturday, posting a 5-2 win at Wright State. The Vikings are now 7-5 overall this season and 1-0 in league action.
"We were definitely tested in this match today, and Wright State put up a tough fight, but we were able to focus and play confident tennis to come away with the victory," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We were able to pick up a dramatic doubles point at the start of the contest, and then carried that momentum over into singles play. Manuel played some great singles for us today, fighting through a tough start to his contest and focusing on his game plan. I'm very happy to get the win today and start Horizon League play with a victory."
Cleveland State was able to get out to a 1-0 start against Wright State, picking up the doubles point with wins at the top two spots. Ali Shabib and Nolan Marks teamed up for a 7-6 (4) victory at the top spot, while Manuel Bellutti and Mirko Radosevic tallied a 6-4 victory at No.2 doubles.
The Vikings were then able to post singles wins at the middle four spots, including victories from Joe VanMeter and Bellutti who each have a team-high 15 singles wins this season. VanMeter picked up a 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 2 singles, while Bellutti tallied a 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles to clinch the match for the Vikings.
Radosevic was able to reach double-digit wins on the season with a victory at No. 5 singles, earning a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 three-set victory. CSU's final singles victory came from Shabib at the No. 4 spot, as he also picked up a three-set victory, his as a 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 decision.
Cleveland State 5, Wright State 2
Doubles:
- Shabib/Marks (CSU) def. Harris/Bourbon (WSU), 7-6 (4)
- Bellutti/Radosevic (CSU) def. Makikalli/Gilbert (WSU), 6-4
- Pineda/Cote (WSU) def. VanMeter/van der Vloet (CSU), 6-3
Singles:
- Lauri Makikalli (WSU) def. Jorg van der Vloet (CSU), 6-2, 6-1
- Joe VanMeter (CSU) def. Dan Gilbert (WSU), 6-4, 6-3
- Manuel Bellutti (CSU) def. Ricardo Pineda (WSU), 1-6, 6-2, 6-4
- Ali Shabib (CSU) def. Marc Sodini (WSU), 5-7, 6-0, 6-4
- Mirko Radosevic (CSU) def. Simon Cote (WSU), 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
- Andrew Connolly (WSU) def. Colton Buffington (CSU), 6-4, 6-4
