April 25, 2004

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The best season in 20 years came to a close on Sunday for the Cleveland State women's tennis team as the Vikings dropped a 4-0 decision to Youngstown State in the third-place match of the Horizon League Championship in Indianapolis, Ind. The Vikings still finished fourth, the highest ever finish in a league championship.

"At the beginning of the season, we didn't know what to expect from this team," assistant coach Dave Howell said. "For them to finish with 10 wins and to finish fourth in the league is far more than expected from this team because we had so many young players. They kept improving during the season and really made a step up in the tournament."

Against Youngstown State on Sunday, the Vikings got a win at No. 1 doubles, as Sarah Galon and Morgan Ungerott picked up an 8-4 win. Cleveland State fell short of the doubles point, as the Penguins took the other two doubles matches.

Youngstown State clinched the match by winning three singles matches. Paulina Reyes was defeated, 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3, while Marcella Capozziello lost at No. 5, 6-1, 6-1. At No. 6 singles, Amanda Cerny lost, 6-3, 6-2.

Cleveland State dropped a 4-0 decision to Butler in the semifinals on Saturday to move to the third-place match. The Vikings finish the year at 10-16, tying the school record for wins in a season.