SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State men's tennis team's quest for its 10th Horizon League Tournament title will begin on Saturday, April 26, as the Vikings are set to begin play as the North No. 1 seed in this year's tournament. The Vikings will open the Horizon League Tournament with a semifinal contest against the winner of the South No. 2 Tennessee State/North No. 3 Northern Kentucky first round matchup, and a win would put them into the championship contest on Sunday, April 27.
 
CLEVELAND STATE IN THE HORIZON LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
The Vikings have had much success in the Horizon League Tournament under head coach Brian Etzkin, capturing nine tournament titles under his guidance (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024). Over the last 13 complete seasons the Vikings have advanced to the championship match nine times – the only school to play in the championship match more than five times during that 13-year span. Out of the current Horizon League schools, Cleveland State owns the most Horizon League Regular Season (10) and Tournament Titles (9).
 
…VIKINGS AS THE NO. 1 SEED
This marks the ninth time that Cleveland State will be playing as a top seed in the Horizon League Tournament, also earning the No. 1 seed during the 2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008 seasons. The Vikings have reached the championship match all but one year that they have played as the top seed, capturing the tournament title on six occasions.
 
…VIKINGS REIGNING #HLTENNIS TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
Cleveland State enters this weekend as the reigning Horizon League Tournament Champion, picking up its ninth #HLTennis tournament crown last year. The Vikings earned a 4-3 win over Tennessee State in the semifinals, before knocking off Belmont 4-2 in the championship match. This marked Cleveland State's first tournament title since the 2021 campaign.
 
…HORIZON LEAGUE NORTH & SOUTH DIVISIONS
The Horizon League was once again split into a North and South Division for the 2025 men's tennis campaign, with Cleveland State, Youngstown State, Northern Kentucky, IUPUI, and Chicago State competing in the North Division and Belmont, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, Southern Indiana, and Eastern Illinois competing in the South Division.
 
#HLTENNIS REGULAR SEASON SLATE…
Last time out, Cleveland State picked up a 5-2 victory over Youngstown State, capping off a perfect 8-0 #HLTennis regular season slate. This marked the sixth undefeated #HLTennis regular season slate for the Vikings and the second straight.
 
BATTLE NAMED #HLTENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Earlier this week sophomore Lincoln Battle was named the Horizon League Player of the Year, becoming the fifth Viking to earn the honor and the second over the last three years. Battle also earned a spot on the All-League First Team after posting a 22-14 overall record this year, including a perfect 8-0 mark against league opponents at the top of the singles lineup.
 
…GEDLITSCHKA & CHAPPELL NAMED ALL-LEAGUE
The duo of Carl Gedlitschka and Cole Chappell also picked up All-League accolades, Gedlitschka earning a spot on the First Team and Chappell being named to the Second Team. This marked the first postseason honor for both players, as both went 7-1 against league opponents this year playing at the No. 2 and No. 3 singles spots.
 
GEDLITSCHKA CLOSING IN ON SINGLES WINS LIST
Entering Horizon League Tournament play, Carl Gedlitschka ranks 12th on the CSU Singles Wins List, currently owning 65 career victories. Gedlitschka is just the 12th Viking to reach 65 career wins, while he needs eight more victories to crack the top-10.
 
BATTLE & BOYER ON DOUBLES WINS LIST
After combining for a team-best 10 doubles wins so far this season, Lincoln Battle and Devin Boyer currently rank fourth on the CSU Doubles Wins List with 30 career victories as a tandem. The duo, who moved up to the No. 1 doubles spot this season, went 5-2 against league opponents, and are one of just four CSU doubles teams all-time to reach the 30-win milestone.
 
CSU ENTERS #HLTENNIS TOURNAMENT ON NINE-MATCH WIN STREAK
After opening the season standing at 3-11 following one of their toughest non-league schedules to date, the Vikings have rattled off nine straight wins heading into this weekend's tournament play. During this stretch, the Vikings have picked up six of their nine wins in 7-0 sweeps, holding a 57-6 advantage over their opponents.
                                       
#HLTENNIS WEEKLY HONORS
Throughout the season the Vikings have been honored by the Horizon League multiple times, picking up four Singles Player of the Week honors and five Doubles Team of the Week accolades - with Lincoln Battle leading all league players with four weekly honors.
Singles Player of the Week:
Lincoln Battle (2.19/3.26/4.9/4.16)
 
Doubles Team of the Week:
         Jamison/Gedlitschka (2.19), Battle/Boyer (3.26/4.2/4.23),
         Gedlitschka/Chappell (4.16)
 
CLEVELAND STATE PUTS THREE ON ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Last week, Cole Chappell, Carl Gedlitschka and Nico Jamsion earned spots on the Horizon League All-Academic Team, with all three earning the honor for the first time in their career. All three Vikings are annual members of the Cleveland State University Dean's List, while Chappell is also a member of the Cleveland State Honors College.