In a fun-spirited contest, the Valparaiso University men’s tennis team defeated their returning alumni 10-2 on Saturday afternoon at the Valpo Tennis Complex in the annual alumni tournament held as part of Homecoming weekend.

“This is always one of my favorite weekends of the fall season, seeing so many former players,” head coach Jim Daugherty said.  “We’ve been doing this for years and I know our current players enjoy meeting some of the players that came before them in this program.  The alums enjoy getting together, sharing stories, and having a fun afternoon of playing.  The hope each year is to have more and more alums join us each year.”

The present-day Crusaders began the day by winning three of the four doubles contests.  Alumni Nick Vuko (1998-2002) and Dave Bukowski (2004-2007) registered the alums victory with an 8-5 triumph over Adam Whitmer (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview H.S.) and Michael Woodson (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft H.S.). Current players Kevin DeHerrera (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield H.S.) and Eric Honert (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.) won 8-5 over Alex Lau (2005-2009) and Kyle Stump (2007-2011) in another highly competitive match.

The current team took control in singles, winning seven of the eight matches. 

Vuko earned his second win of the day for the alums though, defeating Siddarth Mehta(South Bend, Ind./Clay H.S.) in a tight contest 6-4, 5-7, 10-8.

The alumni gave several other current team members tough matches though, going to match tie-breaks.  Whitmer was a 6-3, 6-7 (5), 10-8 winner over Lau while Woodson topped Jeff Vrabel (2000-2004) 6-1, 4-6, 10-7.

Other alums returning for the day included Jay Adams (2001-2004), Jason Baldwin (1998-2002), Cliff Barnett (1995-1999), Jeff French (former assistant coach), and Jon Huffman (1997-2001).

The current team returns to action Oct. 13at the ITA Regional Tournament in Columbus, Ohio.