CSU: Women’s basketball opens 2021-22 season with a perfect 7-0 record
The CSU women’s basketball team ranks first in the Horizon League with a 7-0 start to the season.
Cleveland State is led in scoring by Destiny Leo who is averaging 22.8 points on 51.5 percent 3-point shooting.
The sophomore guard leads the Horizon League with 114 total points this season. She is also tied for the most 3-pointers made (17).
In the Vikings’ most recent victory, an 87-65 win Sunday against Long Island University, Amele Ngwafang chipped in with a career-high 20 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Ngwafang made 7-of-8 field goal attempts.
CSU has won all but one game this season by double-digits with their most emphatic win coming in a 93-53 route of Quincy University. Leo notched a career-high 30 points on 10-of-14 shooting while Nadia Dumas recorded her first double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds) of the season in that game.
The Vikings have relied on timely performances from their deep squad all year long. Senior Barbara Zieniewska is averaging 7.2 rebounds while senior Isabella Gradwell is posting 6.6 points and 6.0 rebounds a game.
Other notable moments from the red-hot start to the season include a career-high 16 points off the bench from Isabella Geraci and four steals from Brittni Moore in her CSU debut versus ETSU (Nov. 9).
Led by head coach Chris Kielsmeier, now in his third year, the Vikings have not lost a game at the Wolstein Center since Jan. 23, 2021.
“We continue to get better and strive for more on and off the court. Very proud of our players and staff and appreciative of all their hard work,” Coach Kielsmeier tweeted after their win over LIU.
The Vikings rank first in scoring, first in rebounding, second in defense and eighth in 3-pointers among Horizon League teams. Next up, they face Northern Kentucky (4-2) on the road Friday, Dec. 3.
Recent News
Women’s Soccer opens league play with a win against Oakland
By SAGE COLÓN - posted September 25, 2026Sophomore Ryleigh Alcala was named the Under Armour #HLWSOC Offensive Player of the Week after scoring both goals in CSU's 2-0 victory over the Golden Grizzlies.
Women's tennis opens fall 2026 at the Betsy Kuhle Invite
By Mitchell Wood - posted September 24, 2026Cleveland State women's tennis began their season at the Betsy Kuhle Invite with two days of solid performances from the team.
The president's interview, spring 2026
By NICOLE WLOSZEK | AVA FUDURIC - posted September 9, 2026 **CSU President Laura Bloomberg, Ph.D., addressed the cost of balancing Cleveland State's budget, ongoing litigation with WCSB, housing concerns and AI implementation at the school in an interview with The Stater at the end of the spring 2026 semester.
Cleveland State cross country opens 2026 Season
By SAGE COLÓN - posted September 8, 2026The Vikings kicked off the season with a sixth-place team finish, out of 15 colleges competing and 123 athletes.
"Best of" The Cleveland Stater spring 2026 #2
By NICOLE WLOSZEK - posted May 4, 2026This edition of "Best Of" The Stater features student artists and filmmakers, international student-athletes fostering a supportive community, and a podcast highlighting voices in POC communities.
CSU students showcase creativity in 54th annual art exhibition
By KATERYNA KOPYLCHAK – posted May 2, 2026At the annual exhibition, student artists shared personal themes, creative challenges and the meaning behind their pieces.
Cleveland’s best-kept cultural secret returns to the stage at CSU
By ALEXIS STRADFORD – posted May 3, 2026Cleveland State in April hosted for the 48th time the nation’s largest Carnatic music festival, one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the world.
CSU golf finishes 12th at Redhawk Intercollegiate
By ABIGAIL SAPLAK - posted September 18, 2026Ryan Dinan led the Vikings with a 5-over 218 over three rounds at the par 71 Pittsburgh Field Club, Pittsburgh.
CSU volleyball defeats Morgan State to open 2026
By CLEVELAND STATE ATHLETICS | CLEVELAND STATER - posted September 1, 2026Cleveland State finished the Lehigh Tournament 2-1 this past weekend with victories over Morgan State and Gardner Webb, while losing to hosts Lehigh.
Fall 2026 to see new director of the School of Communication
By KIRSTEN KIMBLER – posted April 29, 2026“I hope that we’re at a point where we’re ready to experience explosive growth moving forward,” said Dr. Whitbred, current director of the School of Communication. “Our numbers are growing, word is beginning to get out and all the elements are in place to get back to where we were.”
Safety inside an urban university under scrutiny
By MORGAN ALTEN - posted April 26, 2026CSU’s open Student Center exposes contradictions between accessibility and security as students and the public share space on a downtown campus.
I’m graduating, now what?
By KATERYNA KOPYLCHAK – posted April 26, 2026Cleveland State University students preparing to graduate gathered at the Student Center Innerlink April 14-16 for the "I'm Graduating, Now What?” event, hosted by Career Development and Exploration, to gain career guidance, resources and connections for life a
Rhode Tower library gets a facelift after flood
By ALEXIS STRADFORD – posted April 26, 2026, updated May 7, 2026While access to the library remains temporarily restricted, multiple resources are still available to students as the semester winds down. The library thanks FAST and its own employees who worked so hard to restore the library to full functionality, which is expect by the start of the fall semester.
When the tennis gets petty, the petty turn pro
By ALEXIS STRADFORD - posted April 23, 2026What do tennis players and their coaches make of the histrionics we see on court these days?
Kent State honors fashion icon, Fern Mallis shows what CSU could have
By Morgan Alten - posted April 16, 2026When fashion icon Fern Mallis is inducted into Kent State University’s School of Fashion Hall of Fame this May, students there won’t just be reading a
CSU students give the dining hall mixed reviews
By AVA FUDURIC – posted April 16, 2026With the updates to the dining experience at Cleveland State over the past couple of years, especially the revamp of the dining hall, The Stater thought it was time for a restaurant review – and not everybody is happy.
CSU student films to show at this year’s CIFF
By NICOLE WLOSZEK - posted April 8, 2026Film and media arts students Elliot Lanzer and Malakee McGuire will see their student-produced works on the silver screen at this year's Cleveland International Film Festival, the 50th anniversary of the renowned regional showcase.
Cleveland Magazine staff share industry insights with CSU students
By MORGAN ALTEN - posted April 2, 2026Cleveland State University students got an inside look at the evolving media landscape when staff members from Cleveland Magazine<
CSU hosts Special Olympics basketball event for local students
By ARIA RUIZ - posted April 1, 2026Volunteers and athletes connected through inclusive activities, building skills, confidence and community ahead of future events in Cleveland.
The Stater Scoop - Women's History Month
By NICOLE WLOSZEK, KIRSTEN KIMBLER, MORGAN ALTEN, KATERYNA KOPYLCHAK - posted April 1, 2026In this Women's History Month edition of The Stater Scoop, Cleveland Stater staff members Nicole, Kirsten and Morgan discussed how their identities as women have impacted their lives.
Rising student demand and the CSU Counseling Center
By ARIA RUIZ - posted March 27, 2026As mental health needs grow on campus, CSU officials outline how students are prioritized and connected to care.
CSU Faculty Senate reviews budget model, technology overhaul
By ARIA RUIZ - posted March 25, 2026Cleveland State University received updates on a new budget model, technology initiatives and upcoming state requirements during the March 18 Faculty Senate meeting.
CSU graduate leads civic growth for Cleveland’s Latine community
By ARIA RUIZ - posted April 6, 2026Cleveland State alumna Selina Pagan has transformed the volunteer-led Young Latino Network into a growing nonprofit while advancing civic engagement, cultural education and leadership opportunities for Latine residents.
Northeast Ohio’s drag scene is losing its own talent
By ARIA RUIZ - posted March 25, 2026A few years ago, a weekend in Northeast Ohio meant juggling drag shows across Lakewood, Cleveland and Akron.
CSU senior to host benefit show at Treelawn Social Club
By KIRSTEN KIMBLER – posted March 23, 2026“This concert has become a way for all of us to come together for one night and carry on the music in their honor,” said Anna Skalicki, a senior CSU studio art major.
CSU graduate student’s research offers hope for blood disorder patients
By AVA FUDURIC – posted March 6, 2026Ph.D. candidate Anita Dhara studies how molecules in red blood cells could help patients with sickle cell anemia and beta thalassemia breathe easier and reduce painful symptoms.
CSU plans new gallery to expand student opportunities
By KATERYNA KOPYLCHAK – posted March 5, 2026Cleveland State University is moving forward with plans to open the Galleries at 13th Street.
Students for a Just Society launches at CSU
By Morgan Alten - posted March 4, 2026The new student organization aims to build student-led organizing, foster political education, and connect Cleveland State students with regional activism efforts.
Commentary: Student rights and campus safety in the age of ICE
By ARIA RUIZ – posted March 4, 2026CSU students need clear information about their rights and safety as immigration enforcement in Ohio and nationwide raises concern, particularly for international and migrant students.
Don't miss the the student-run CSU Chamber Collective
By Morgan Alten - posted March 3, 2026The concert March 6 in Drinko Recital Hall will showcase student initiative, creativity and collaboration across the School of Music.
The Stater Scoop - Episode 2
By NICOLE WLOSZEK | KATERYNA KOPYLCHAK | BRAZIL JACKSON | LEAH WOODSON - published February 28, 2026For the second episode of The Stater Scoop, we're celebrating Black History Month with CSU’s Black Student Union!
Building belonging: How one student athlete created a space for many
By By AVA FUDURIC – posted February 27, 2026After navigating taxes, visas and internship barriers as an international student from Ireland, Ellie Mickibbin founded a dedicated support system to help future student-athletes adjust and succeed.
CSU faculty discuss emeritus policy, Workday, facilities at Senate meeting
By NICOLE WLOSZEK - posted February 26, 2026Cleveland State University faculty reviewed proposed changes to emeritus and retirement policies, received updates on the university’s Workday transition and heard extensive reports on campus facilities during the Feb.
The Stater Scoop - Episode 1
By NICOLE WLOSZEK | KATERYNA KOPYLCHAK | KIRSTEN KIMBLER | MORGAN ALTEN - posted February 26, 2026We’re excited to announce a new podcast from The Cleveland Stater – The Stater Scoop! Each episode, we’ll welcome different guests from around campus to talk with members of our newsroom.
CSU grad builds a brand and career in music marketing
By MORGAN ALTEN - posted February 22, 2026Alexis Figlar graduates from Cleveland State in 2023. Since then, she's turned internship connections, a self-made portfolio and a personal art business into a growing career in Cleveland’s music industry.
Greek letters signify Black excellence at CSU
By ALEXIS STRADFORD – posted February 20, 2026Sorority Zeta Phi Beta and fraternity Phi Beta Sigma are two organizations at Cleveland State which embody the achievements of Black students, highlighting the excellence that Black History Month honors every year.
Student play “Journey West” debuts at playwright's festival
By KIRSTEN KIMBLER – posted February, 19 2026“‘Journey West’ is a nonconventional Western, it’s pseudodisguised as a Western,” said writer Michael Anderson. “It’s not what you would typically expect."
Paying the price: when street parking stops making cents
By AVA FUDURIC – posted February 13, 2026The City of Cleveland’s decision to hike parking rates across the city, and around campus is turning a once-affordable alternative for CSU students into yet another financial burden.
Immigrant embraces the America that has embraced her
By ARIA RUIZ – posted February 19, 2026Beloved Cleveland entertainer Bella Sin shares how living undocumented impacted their survival, self-identity, and quest for belonging in America. “Queer nightlife gave me a place to be fully myself, loved and accepted."
Former WCSB general manager says lawsuit signals a wider fight for college radio
By NICOLE WLOSZEK - posted January 16, 2026Alison Bomgardner spoke after she, WCSB and Friends of XCSB were named as the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed Monday suing Cleveland State University for handing its student and community-run radio station to Ideastream Public Media.
Why WCSB matters to me
By NICOLE WLOSZEK - posted October 16, 2025During my second semester at Cleveland State University, in February of 2025, I took the leap into college radio. It changed my life – then the station was taken over.
