YSU Women’s Tennis Team Claims Horizon League Championship
YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Youngstown State University (YSU) women’s tennis team triumphed over Cleveland State with a decisive 4-1 victory on Sunday, securing their third Horizon League championship in four years at the University of Michigan’s Varsity Tennis Center in Ann Arbor.
Known for their success at this venue, the Penguins have now won their last six matches there, with the exception of their recent NCAA tournament loss to Michigan. YSU will return to the same courts this Friday to face the Wolverines, the third seed in the NCAA tournament.
Head coach Mickael Sopel expressed excitement about the upcoming challenge. “Michigan is very special to us; we’ve performed well there over the years,” he remarked. The Penguins’ victory over CSU was particularly sweet, avenging a narrow 4-3 defeat earlier in the season.
In the championship match, the Penguins started strong before the Vikings claimed an initial doubles point. However, YSU quickly turned the tide in singles play. Senior Ghada Dirninger won her match decisively, followed by Julia Marko, who showcased her skills to outplay CSU’s opponent. Junior Yoana Dudova secured her victory in a tiebreak. Finally, Lorena Cedeno clinched the title with a hard-fought win, sparking a jubilant celebration among teammates.
This championship adds to YSU’s impressive legacy, with eight Horizon League titles under Sopel’s leadership over the past 12 years. The senior duo of Lili Minich and Marko has been pivotal in this success, each contributing greatly to the program. As they approach the end of their college careers, their leadership and hard work have left an indelible mark.
YSU’s first-round NCAA matchup against Michigan is slated for 1 p.m. on Friday, promising an exhilarating contest for the Penguins.
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