Tuesday, April 06, 2004

Valparaiso University recorded its second win in its last three matches on Tuesday afternoon, defeating IPFW 4-3 at Brown Courts.

The Crusaders struck first in the match by taking the doubles point with a pair of wins. Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.) and Jeff Vrabel (Allen Park, Mich./St. Francis Cabrini H.S.) posted an 8-4 win at the top spot, while Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) and Joe Venegas (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North H.S.) secured the point with an 8-5 victory at second doubles.

In singles action, Valpo increased its lead to 3-0 early as Vrabel cruised to a 6-2, 6-0 win playing fourth in the line-up, while Dunham-Freer posted a 6-2, 6-1 triumph at number one singles. The Mastodons battled back to tie the match at three with wins at the third, fifth, and sixth positions. Kooyers then tallied the win in the decisive match at the second spot with a 6-3, 6-4 win to give Valpo the victory.

With the win the Crusaders improve to 4-13 on the year, while IPFW falls to 3-9. Valpo will host a Mid-Continent Conference cluster this weekend, returning to action on Friday morning for a 9 a.m. contest against UMKC.