Playing outdoors at the Valpo Tennis Complex for the first time this spring, Valparaiso used the home courts to their advantage, defeating IPFW 6-1 on Wednesday afternoon.

“This was the most solid performance we have had all year in both singles and doubles,” head coach Jim Daugherty said.  “It was great to see the guys put it all together.”

Valpo got off to a strong start, sweeping the doubles point.  Jose Gaspar (Sao Paulo, Brazil/CEAD H.S.) and Eric Honert (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.) posted an 9-8 (5) victory over Roberto Cabrini and Francisco Sigaud at the top of the order while Chris Baum (Charlotte, N.C./Providence H.S.) and Adam Whitmer (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview H.S.) posted an 8-4 win against Daniel Kang and Junya Saruta at two doubles.  Kevin DeHerrera (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield H.S.) and Kyle Stump (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth H.S.) added an 8-5 triumph over Dean Guyer and Tony Kanavos at third doubles for their 11th win of the year.

In singles play, the Crusaders continued the momentum, winning four matches in straight sets.  Baum posted a 6-4, 6-3 win at second singles against Sigaud while DeHerrera was a 6-4, 6-4 winner against Guyer at the third spot.  Honert topped Kang 6-3, 6-4 at number four singles for his team-leading 13th victory of the year while Stump downed Derek Romer 6-4, 6-3 at the sixth spot.  Whitmer added a three-set triumph over Saruta 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 at the fifth spot.

IPFW (8-11) earned its only point at number one singles as Cabrini defeated Gaspar as the Crusader retired in the second set trailing 6-4, 3-1.

“We now need to carry this momentum into our next conference match on Friday,” Daugherty concluded.

Valparaiso (6-10) will return to action on Friday afternoon as the Crusaders head to Chicago to battle UIC.  First serve is slated for 3 p.m.