By Michael Comodeca
Now that Cleveland State’s spring schedule is underway, its women’s tennis team will strive to build on the success that they had in the fall. Although, the first two matches of the spring have not gone their way, the team is still motivated.
Their first two matches of the spring season were at home against Duquesne University and the University of Toledo in the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavil ion.
In their first match against Duquesne, the team lost 6-1 with the lone victory coming by Cleveland State Viking, Gaby Schoenberg defeating Duquesne Duke, Ally Miller, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. Schoenberg’s victory brought her season win total above the .500 mark at 6-5.
The Vikings played well during their second match of the spring, but came up short against Toledo, losing 4-3.
The three points earned were from Cleveland State’s Jana Schober defeating Duquesne’s Colleen O’Brien, 6-1, 5-7, 6-1.
The other point came from Gaby Schoenberg of Cleveland State as she defeated DeeDee Leenabanchong of Toledo, 7-6 (5), 1-6, 1-0 (8).
The last point came from Anastasia Perin of Cleveland State defeating Megan Miller of Toledo, 6-4, 6-4.
The victory by Schoenberg was her second of the spring making her 2-0 and 7-5 overall for the year.
Anastasia Perin picked up her first collegiate dual match singles victory by defeating Megan Miller of the University of Toledo, 6-4, 6-4.
Most teams carry eight players, but Cleveland State only has six on their roster this season.
The Vikings are focusing on winning both the Horizon League’s regular season and tournament championships, which would mean an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
During the last three seasons, Cleveland State has won the regular season championship, but has not won the tournament title, which has kept them from the NCAA Tournament.
For senior Aleksandra Golawska, it would mean a lot to her to reach the national tournament in her final season.
“Our goal is to win the conference championship tournament every season, which is at the end of the season,” Golawska said. “It is nice to win the regular. We get the rings, and it shows we are the best in our conference, but making to the NCAA tournament affirms [that] we are the best and we get to compete in nationals.”
With this being her last year, Golawska wants to have fun while giving it her all and bonding with her teammates.
On long road trips this season, the team will have plenty of time to bond.
This past weekend, Cleveland State had a tough three game road trip starting with Dayton University on Friday, Feb. 2, in which they lost 5-2.
A bright spot for the team was Schoenberg picking up her third straight victory of the spring, making her 3-0 in the spring season and 7-5 overall.
The other two matches of the weekend were against Indiana University on Saturday, Feb. 3 and Butler University on Sunday, Feb. 4.