Sunday, February 06, 2005

Mike Wagner (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer H.S.) registered a singles win for Valparaiso on Sunday afternoon, but the Crusaders dropped a 6-1 decision to Michigan State in a neutral site match played in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Valpo battled from the beginning, nearly winning the doubles point to take the early lead. Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.) and Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) posted a 9-8 (5) win at first doubles for the Brown and Gold. Mike Shideler (Valparaiso, Ind./Munster H.S.) and Blain Keller (Muncie, Ind./Delta H.S.) battled at third doubles before falling 8-6. Wagner and Joe Venegas (Saint Charles, Ill./North H.S.) lost 8-4 at the second spot.

Wagner got the Crusaders on the scoreboard at sixth singles, rallying from a set down to post a 4-6, 6-3, 11-9 win. Michigan State (6-2) was too much at the top spots though. Kooyers fell 6-4, 6-2 at the top spot, while Dunham-Freer dropped a 6-3, 6-3 match at second singles. Venegas dropped a 6-0, 6-3 decision at the third spot, while David Bukowski (Mount Prospect, Ill./Prospect H.S.) fell 6-1, 6-3 at fourth singles. Shideler also fell 6-4, 6-4 playing fifth in the line-up.

Valpo (0-4) will return to action on Friday evening as the Crusaders host Illinois-Chicago at the Northwest Athletic Club. First serve is set for 6 p.m.