By Joel Fuzo / The Jambar
Senior Julia Marko ranked first at the Horizon League Individual Championships, defeating Cleveland State University senior Oihane Vicario in two sets Oct. 7.
Marko finished the tournament undefeated, losing only seven games in five sets. Before the tournament, Head Coach Mickael Sopel discussed how the team maintains its level of success.
“Keeping the focus on the Horizon League title, those girls, that’s all they’re looking for. They come here and want to win, and they see the success we have — they really want to keep that going,” Sopel said.
Sophomore Lorena Cedeno emphasized the importance of the event before it began.
“For me, I think it’s going to be the most important of this semester. Everyone’s at the same level, and it could go either way. I know my teammates are very good, and we’re all going for it,” Cedeno said.
Youngstown State University earned 11 wins in singles. Senior Ghada Dirninger, senior Lili Minich and Cedeno won their first two matches.
Under Sopel’s guidance, the Penguins have won multiple Horizon League titles. Sopel offered insight into how his scheduling helped prepare the team for the event.
“I choose teams that are very similar to us or stronger. I believe in playing against that competition before going into the conference,” Sopel said.
In the doubles event, the pairs of Cedeno and Marko, along with Minich and Dirninger, won two matches each, advancing to the semifinals.
Cedeno explained what makes the doubles event so intense for her as a singles player.
“In doubles, you need to be more aggressive. It’s faster, and you need to have a great connection with your partner. You might also feel more pressure because if you miss, the other person loses,” Cedeno said.
Both YSU pairs in the doubles event lost in the semifinals to pairs from Cleveland State.
YSU’s next event is Oct. 10 at the ITA Midwest Regionals, hosted by Ohio State University in Columbus.