Official Athletic Site of the Valparaiso University Crusaders
Valpo Blanks Robert Morris Sunday Afternoon
Alex Lau won at both number one singles and doubles on Sunday. (Ray Acevedo)
Alex Lau won at both number one singles and doubles on Sunday. (Ray Acevedo)

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Valparaiso started its spring trip in triumphant fashion on Sunday afternoon, shutting out Robert Morris (Pa.) 7-0 in Orlando, Fla.

“This is a very good start to our spring trip,” head coach Jim Daugherty said.  “Hopefully this is a good confidence booster that the team can build upon throughout the week.”

The Crusaders started strong in doubles, sweeping all three matches.  Kevin DeHerrera (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield H.S.) and Adam Whitmer (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview H.S.) were 8-2 victors over Aaron Haas and Rayn Cameron at third doubles.  Alex Lau (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson Senior H.S.) and Tom Litscher (Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial H.S.) solidified the doubles point with an 8-4 win over Sean Curley and Igor Neves at the top spot, and Phidias Fortune (San Antonio, Texas/Madison H.S.) and Kyle Stump (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth H.S.) capped the doubles sweep with their 8-6 victory over Daniel Becker and David Pinto at the second spot.

Valpo then swept all six singles matches against Robert Morris (0-7), including five in straight sets.  Lau was a 6-3, 6-3 winner at the top of the lineup against Curley while Litscher posted a 6-3, 6-2 win against Cameron at the second spot.  DeHerrera rallied from a set down to top Neves 1-6, 6-4, 10-5 in a super tie-break for the third set at number three singles.  Fortune cruised to a 6-4, 6-0 win against Pinto at the fourth spot while Stump notched a 6-0, 7-6 (4) victory over Haas at fifth singles.  Whitmer completed the sweep with his 6-2, 6-1 win over Becker at the bottom of the order.

Valparaiso (2-3) will return to the courts on Monday morning, taking on Shorter College in Orlando.  First serve is set for 10:30 a.m. CDT.  In addition, the Crusaders have announced a schedule change for Tuesday.  Valpo will now face South Dakota State instead of Bethel (Tenn.) beginning at 5:30 p.m. CDT.

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