Cleveland State senior Jordan Reynolds and freshman Mike Durr have played tennis together now at three different levels. (Photos by Larry Bennet)

North Olmsted residents provide Vikings with a lift
By Zachary Dzurick
Sports
Published April 13, 2005

Since Jordan Reynolds first began to play tennis, he has had a shadow in the form of Mike Durr.

"Since I have picked up a tennis racket, I have known Mike," Reynolds said. "I guess you could call him my little brother. I have always picked on him since he started to play."

The two learned to play tennis at the River Run Racquet Club in Strongsville. When that closed down six years ago, they moved with their coach to the North Olmsted Rec Center.

Reynolds earned three varsity letters at North Olmsted High. He was a captain his senior year when he was named the most improved player. The freshman playing at second singles was Durr.

Durr would earn three more varsity letters and become a captain himself. Reynolds moved on to Cleveland State. His freshmen year was a bit of a train wreck as he went 1-15 in singles and 1-17 in doubles. The team struggled as well with only two wins.

Salvation came in the form of a new coach, Brian Etzkin. The Cleveland native came from Michigan State where he was an assistant coach. The team won 9 matches in his first year and 13 last season including a third-place finish at the Horizon Conference tournament, the Vikings' highest ever.

"We are winning because of the coach," Reynolds said. "He has brought everything. He has taught us to play tennis. My freshman year we just came out and hit a ball. He taught me everything I know about how to win."

Etzkin counts on Reynolds, now a senior, at the fifth singles position.

"Jordan is one of the most improved players that I have ever gotten to coach," Etzkin said. "He led the team in wins last year in the five spot. He has come a long way. He also adds the aspect of having someone local for people to cheer for."

It is no surprise that Reynolds was the one who recommended Durr to the coach.

"Mike's game is very similar to mine," Reynolds said. "I have grown up watching him play and know how much room for improvement there is for him. Just like I did when I was a freshman, so I recommended him. We have three seniors this year, so there will be plenty of room for him to fill in nextt year."

"I had heard from Jordan about Mike," Etzkin said. "I went to see him play and he was someone I thought could really develop. He has great hands and nice fluid strokes. Mike also just really wants to be a part of the team. In fact, his dad Fred played for Cleveland State."

The team has been saddled with injuries this season. Durr has come through and helped out the team more than once.

"We have had a lot of injuries. I think we have had a full line-up one time," Etzkin said. "Mike has come in and should in the future fill the role that Jordan fills for us now. Maybe he isn't a starter now, but we have asked him to fill in because of injuries several times. He had a big doubles win and then won at sixth singles against Youngstown State for a big conference win. He is a role player this year but he has filled shoes well."

Etzkin sees a lot of similarities between the two friends.

"Both are fighters on the court," Etzkin said. "That is something I look for for. You watch these two guys on the court and they never give up on a ball. An example was earlier this season when Jordan was down 5-0 or 5-1 in the third set and we were tied 3-3 at the time. He came back and won. That rarely ever happens and it was just pure fight that got him back."

As Etzkin builds the Cleveland State program, he believes it is important to get kids from Ohio to stay home and play.

"My first goal every year is to bring kids in from Ohio," Etzkin said. "It is an added benefit when we can get kids from the Cleveland area in terms of local fan support."

Both Reynolds and Durr are glad they chose Cleveland State. Staying at home was important to both.

"I didn't have to move anywhere," Reynolds said. "I could live at home and just drive here. Having family here is a really big thing for me."

"It was close and fit in the budget," Durr said. "Also knowing someone already on the team was a big plus."

Durr admits it has been an adjustment to go from the number one guy in high school to part-time player in his first year of college tennis.

"It is tough not knowing if you are going to play," Durr said. "You just try to get better in practice just in case."

Making the transition easier has been having Reynolds around for advice.

"I always wanted to play as good as Jordan could," Durr said. "I always looked up to him. He has helped me to try and keep my cool and not be overly emotional when I play."

Besides playing tennis, the team is also involved in the community as well.

"Our team does a lot of community service," Reynolds said. "We tutored underprivileged kids last year at a nearby school. This year the team spent two hours at a food bank stocking food."

Durr believes giving back adds perspective.

"It makes you realize there are other things going on," Durr said. "There are people out there that need help and you are lucky enough to go to school."