Strong Doubles Play Leads CSU To 4-3 Victory At Buffalo
    Cleveland State Evened Its Record At 3-3 With The Win Over The Bulls
    Jorg Van Der Vloet

    Jorg Van Der Vloet

    Feb. 19, 2012

    Contact: Renee Adam

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    BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Cleveland State men's tennis team improved its record to 2-0 on the weekend Sunday afternoon, earning a 4-3 win at Buffalo. With the win the Vikings improve to 3-3 on the season, while Buffalo falls to 1-4.

    "This was another great win for us today over a quality MAC team," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "The match was exciting from start to finish, especially our doubles play. The way that we played doubles today is what we are capable of when we are full strength and hopefully we can continue that in the coming weeks."

    CSU got off to a strong start, sweeping the doubles matches to pick up the first point of the day. Ali Shabib and Nolan Marks claimed an 8-6 victory at No. 1 doubles, while Yannick Goossens and Ben Shklyar earned an 8-4 win at the No. 2 position and Matt Kuelker and Jorg Van Der Vloet teamed up for an 8-3 win at No. 3 doubles.

    Marks then put the Vikings up 2-0 after winning his match at No. 5 singles after his opponent retired, and Vloet gave CSU a 3-0 lead with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles.

    Buffalo earned victories at No. 1, 2 and 3 singles to even the score at 3-3, putting Matt Ford in the position to clinch the match for the Vikings.

    Ford, who is used to being in the position to clinch the match for Cleveland State, once again came through, posting a 6-7, 7-5, 6-2 come from behind victory at No. 6 singles to give CSU the 4-3 win.

    "Once again Matt Ford was able to close the match for us, earning the clinching point at No. 6 singles," Etzkin said. "The whole team is comfortable with Matt in that position and he definitely came through for us again today."

    Cleveland State will stay on the road next weekend as they travel to Illinois State (Saturday, Feb. 25) and Northern Illinois (Sunday, Feb. 26).