In a match that was much closer than the 7-0 final score would indicate, Valparaiso forced three singles matches to third sets on Saturday evening before falling to Youngstown State at the Northwest Athletic Club in Michigan City, Ind.

Valpo picked up a win at number one doubles as Chris Baum (Charlotte, N.C./Providence H.S.) and Eric Honert (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.) topped Tariq Ismail and Dawoud Kabli 8-5.  The Penguins picked up wins at two and three though to win the day’s first point.  Rodrigo Campos and Victor Theorin were 8-4 victors over Carlton Lyons (South Bend, Ind./Clay H.S.) and Michael Woodson (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft H.S.) at two while Silviu Mistreanu and Zeeshan Ismail downed Siddarth Mehta (South Bend, Ind./Clay H.S.) and Adam Whitmer (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview H.S.) 8-3 at the third spot.

Valpo forced three of the singles matches to third sets, but Youngstown State (8-8, 3-1 Horizon) was able to prevail in each one.  Tariq Ismail topped Baum 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 at number one while Mistreanu was a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 winner over Honert at two.  Whitmer had the closest match of the day at four, falling 7-6 (2), 6-7 (4), 7-5 against Max Schmerin.

Kevin DeHerrera (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield H.S.) fell 7-5, 6-1 at third singles against Kabli while Mehta lost 7-6 (5), 6-4 against  Campos at number five.  Woodson dropped a 6-4, 6-4 match to Zeeshan Ismail at sixth singles.

Valparaiso (7-12, 0-5) will return to action on Sunday afternoon, facing Cleveland State.  First serve is slated for 12:30 p.m. CDT at the South Bend Racquet Club.