Lazaris Wins Backdraw Finals at Michigan State
    Gibbons Falls in Backdraw Finals
    Maria Lazaris

    Maria Lazaris

    Sept. 27, 2009

    Final Stats

    Contact: Greg Murphy

    EAST LANSING, Mich. - Cleveland State freshman Maria Lazaris won the White Draw Backdraw Championship match at the Spartan Invitational on Sunday morning.

    Lazaris, playing in just her second career collegiate tournament, won four straight matches to claim the backdraw after losing her first match of the tournament on Friday.

    She defeated Britney Larson of Miami (Ohio), 6-4, 6-2 today.

    "Maria has been extremely focused on the court this season," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "She had a great weekend and is gaining a lot of confidence as the fall season progresses. She keeps her emotions in check on the court and that has really helped her succeed.

    "Although we would of loved to have a player in the championship finals, it was great to have two players competing on the final day. I feel very good with where we are at as a team. There are some things that we still need to work on and we will use this little two week break to work hard and improve as a team."

    Senior Charlotte Gibbons was the other Viking to play today, falling in the Blue Draw backdraw finals, 6-0, 6-3, to Erin Weldon of Detroit.

    CSU will be out of action until Oct. 9-11 when they compete in the Toledo Invitational.

    CSU RESULTS

    White Draw Backdraw Finals
    Maria Lazaris (CSU) def. Britney Larson (Miami (Oh)): 6-2, 6-4

    Blue Draw Backdraw Finals
    Erin Weldon (UDM) def. Charlotte Gibbons (CSU): 6-0, 6-3