Oct. 11, 2008

Contact: Dana Ingraham

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Together as a team for the first time this season, Cleveland State men's tennis had an impressive first day at the Louisville Invitational. After splitting the squad last weekend, the Vikings found out just how strong the whole team can be as they won six out of 10 first round matches.

Four Vikings advanced in the main draw of singles play and three players still remain in the consolation bracket.

In the singles "A" flight, junior Phil Orno defeated two very talented opponents from Morehead State and DePaul in three sets each, keeping him alive in the main draw to continue on Saturday.

"Phil had to battle for two solid three-set wins today," said CSU head coach Brian Etzkin. "He beat two quality players and he is looking better and better with more match play."

Also remaining in the main draw are sophomores Chris Klepatz and Nate Veselenak, as well as newcomer Yannick Goossens.

Klepatz made quick work of the "C" draw, winning his matches in straight sets, including a win over Toledo's Leo Henriques who Klepatz will likely see again during the spring season. In the "B" flight, Goossens adjusted and found ways to win against Landon Neuman of Wright State.

"Yannick's opponent tried to trip him up by changing his strategy mid-way through the match," Etzkin said. "(Goossens) did a good job though of playing his game and staying under control to come out with the win."

Veselenak picked up his first collegiate win in the "D" flight, defeating Shuntaro Tsukiyama of the University of Tennessee-Martin 7-6(5), 6-2.

Two of CSU's doubles teams also advanced to the second day of the tournament. Partners Orno and Ryan Hamning and the duo of Rob West and Robert Fox both picked up victories in the first round of doubles play.

"Our doubles sets looked good early," said Etzkin. "The Robs did a good job of winning a quick match in the `B' flight, and Ryan and Phil came up with another good win for us in the `A' flight.

"Overall, it's a good day to be a Viking."

Tournament play continues Saturday morning with doubles matches beginning at 9 a.m., followed by the consolation singles bracket in which Fox, Aris Spirtos, and Adam Perkins will be competing. The third round of the main draw is also set to take place.

Louisville Invitational
First Day Results

Doubles
"A" flight
Orno/Hamning (CSU) def. Czerwinski/Livingston (unattached), 8-4
"B" flight
West/Fox (CSU) def. Palmenter/Starr (Xavier), 8-3
"C" flight
Canelas/Pretorius (Xavier) def. Wipprecht/Spirtos (CSU), 8-3
Martin/Saine (W. Kentucky) def. Goossens/Klepatz (CSU), 8-6
Harika/Ward (Toledo) def. Perkins/Veselenak (CSU), 8-0

Singles
"A" flight
Rob West (CSU) def. Michael Engdahl (S. Dakota State), 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
Santiago Gruter (Indiana) def. Rob West (CSU), 6-3, 6-1
Phil Orno (CSU) def. Jerry Sundgren (Morehead State), 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
Phil Orno (CSU) def. Jose Moncada (DePaul), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

"B" flight
Yannick Goossens (CSU) def. Sumit-Prakash Gupta (Louisville), 6-4, 6-4
Yannick Goossens (CSU) def. Landon Neuman (Wright State), 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
Ryan Hamning (CSU) def. Mel Segota (E. Kentucky), 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4
Andrew Carter (Louisville) def. Ryan Hamning (CSU), 7-6(11), 6-2

"C" flight
Steven Wipprecht (CSU) def. Drew Grimaldi (E. Illinois), 6-1, 7-5
Adam Donaldson (Louisville) def. Steven Wipprecht (CSU), 6-1, 6-1
Chris Klepatz (CSU) def. Justin Pyle (S. Dakota State), 6-1, 6-4
Chris Klepatz (CSU) def. Leo Henriques (Toledo), 6-2, 6-3
Xavier Rairt-Ferrer (Ill. State) def. Robert Fox (CSU), 6-3, 7-6
Currie Martin (W. Kentucky) def. Aris Spirtos (CSU), 6-1, 6-0

"D" flight"
Eric West (S. Illinois) def. Adam Perkins (CSU), 6-1, 6-0
Nate Veselenak (CSU) def. Shuntaro Tsukiyama (UT-Martin), 7-6(5), 6-2