The 2008 Horizon League Tennis Championship concluded Sunday afternoon as the Cleveland State University men and University of Illinois at Chicago women were crowned champions. It was the Vikings first appearance in the finals and their first title in school history, while the Flames claimed the League title for 12th-consecutive year.
In the men's championship match, Cleveland State picked up the doubles point against UIC, and eventually pulled away with the 4-1 victory. Behind sophomore Phil Orno's 19-match winning streak at No. 1 singles, the Vikings had the momentum they needed to defeat the Flames. UIC's lone point came as sophomore Sebastian Lystad took down Brad Groleski at the No. 3 position (6-3, 6-2). After Orno defeated UIC's Adriano Liccardo (6-2, 6-0) at the No. 1 slot, Rob West triumphed over Sean Kreymborg at No. 6 ( 6-2, 7-6(3)) and Rob Fox clinched the match with his (6-2, 6-3)victory over Danny Wilson at No. 5. The Vikings will go on to represent the Horizon League at the NCAA Tennis Championships.
On the women's side, there was a lot of suspense built up in the doubles and singles matches. UIC came away with the doubles point after winning at No. 1 and No. 3, but each of the three matches was intense. The Bulldogs continued to compete, bringing the match to a 3-3 tie before Lubica Nadasska clinched the championship at No. 2, defeating Butler's Natali Jaimes (6-2, 6-3). Ilinca Critescu and Kristen McPhillips also won at No. 1 and No. 3 singles, respectively, while the Bulldogs took the singles matches at No. 4, 5 and 6.
In men's consolation action, Valparaiso secured 5th-place by defeating Wright State 4-3, while Butler topped Green Bay 4-0 to place third. For the women, Detroit edged out Cleveland State 4-3 to claim third-place.
Both Cleveland State and UIC will represent the Horizon League at the 2008 NCAA Championships beginning May 9. Campus sites will be determined on Tuesday.
1. Phil Orno, CSU def. Adriano Liccardo, UIC, 6-2, 6-0 2. Ryan Hamning, CSU vs. Bastian Harbo, UIC, 7-5, 2-3 (DNF) 3. Sebastian Lystad, UIC def. Brad Groleski, CSU, 6-3, 6-2 4. Chris Klepatz, CSU vs. Eric Fey, UIC, 6-7(5), 1-2 (DNF) 5. Rob Fox, CSU def. Danny Wilson, UIC, 6-2, 6-3 6. Rob West, CSU def. Sean Kreymborg, UIC, 6-2, 7-6(3)
#3 Butler def. #4 Green Bay, 4-0
1. Breitenbach/Herron, BU def. Prudlow/Goldin, GBAY, 8-6 2. Raynauld/Warren, BU vs. Clegg/Keesey, GBAY, 8-1 3. Wesley/Plaushines, GBAY def. Shafer/Dolins, BU, 8-5
1. Eric Breitenbach, BU def. Tim Prudlow, GBAY, 6-2, 6-2 2. Ben Raynauld, BU def. Mark Goldin, GBAY, 6-2, 6-3 3. Chris Herron, BU vs. Matt Clegg, GBAY, 6-3, 4-3 (DNF) 4. Bryce Warren, BU def. John Brough, GBAY, 6-2, 6-0 5. Brandon Bayliss, BU vs. Matt Keesey, GBAY 6-4, 4-3 (DNF) 6. Eric Plaushines, GBAY vs. Sam Brown, BU, 6-0, 5-2 (DNF)