The Stetson men's tennis team (8-0) swept Cleveland State to
earn its eighth straight victory to start the 2013 campaign on Tuesday at the
Mandy Stoll Tennis Center.
For the third straight time out, the Hatters began things by
winning the doubles point. Sophomores
Chester Espie and Nathan Debut made quick work of their Cleveland State
opponents, winning 8-1 at number three doubles.
Senior Didrik Berg and freshman Simon Julin then won 8-5 at number two
doubles to earn Stetson the first point of the match.
Freshman Cahit Kapukiran got the ball rolling in singles
play, winning 6-3, 6-1 at the number four position. Julin also made quick work of his Viking
opponent, defeating Ali Shabib at number three singles, 6-2, 6-2.
With a 3-0 lead, and just having lost his second set 1-6,
Berg set out to clinch the match for the Hatters at number one singles. The senior fought back with a 6-2 win in set
three to finish 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 and secure the victory for Stetson.
Debut, Espie, and freshman Laurynas Antropikas also went on
to win at number six, number five, and number two, respectively. Debut earned a 6-4, 6-4 in his first
competition of the spring, Espie came back from falling in set two to win 6-7
(1), 6-4, 6-1, and Antropikas captured a 7-6 (7), 6-4 to complete the sweep for
the Hatters.
Espie's victory marked the 20th straight singles
win for the sophomore, tying the all-time record at Stetson. His next win would give him the program
record.
"The team showed much improvement from yesterday's match
against a very good team in Cleveland State," Director of Tennis Pierre Pilote
said. "It's great to see our young team
improve with every match, and we are right where we aimed to be before starting
conference play."
Stetson will now set out to begin conference action on
Thursday, March 14. The Hatters host
Atlantic Sun Conference newcomer Northern Kentucky at 4:00 p.m. at the Mandy
Stoll Tennis Center.
