Jan. 19, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Cleveland State was handed its first loss of the season in a 7-0 loss to Michigan State. The Vikings are now 1-1 on the year.

The Vikings won one doubles match and were swept in singles competition in the dual match against the Spartans.

Junior Rob West and freshman Rob Fox were the only winners of the day, pairing to defeat Gardner/Rasmussen 8-5.

Three Vikings were able to take their matches to second set tie-breaks, but none prevailed. After losing the first set 6-1, sophomore Ryan Hamning lost the match at No. 2 singles after a 7-6 (11-9) second set. Senior Brad Groleski put up the biggest fight, taking both sets to tiebreaks, losing 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3) to Clark Richardson at No. 6 singles.

"The team played well and fought hard," assistant coach Mark Barry said. "We were not overwhelmed by MSU and went out and showed it. We were just a few points away from the doubles point and taking some singles matches to three-sets. I am proud of their effort."

The Vikings travel to Bloomington, Ind. to face No. 61 Indiana on Monday, Jan. 21 at 10:00 a.m.

DOUBLES RESULTS Rinks/Allare (MSU) def. Orno/Hamning - 8-6
West/Fox def. Gardner/Rasmussen (MSU) - 8-5
Norville/Richardson (MSU) def. Wipprecht/Groleski - 8-5

SINGLES RESULTS Nick Rinks (MSU) def. Phil Orno - 6-4, 6-4
Alex Forger (MSU) def. Ryan Hamning - 6-1, 7-6 (11-9)
Adam Monich (MSU) def. Rob West - 6-2, 7-6 (10-8)
Scott Rasmussen (MSU) def. Chris Klepatz - 6-2, 6-4
Tyler Sauerbrey (MSU) def. Rob Fox - 6-2, 6-4
Clark Richardson (MSU) def. Brad Groleski - 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3)