Monday, April 09, 2012

Valparaiso began its regular season-ending five match homestand in victorious fashion on Monday afternoon, defeating Chicago State 6-1 at the Valpo Tennis Complex.

The victory snapped a seven-match losing skid for the Brown and Gold and pulled the Crusaders back to the .500 mark at home this year.

“Overall this was a very solid team performance,” head coach Jim Daugherty said after the match.  “We’re glad to get back on the winning track.  We have something positive to build upon going into this weekend.”

The Crusaders opened the match with a pair of doubles victories to take the day’s first point.  Carlton Lyons (South Bend, Ind./Clay H.S.) and Michael Woodson (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft H.S.) got the day rolling with an 8-5 victory at third doubles against Samuel McKinney and Luis Ulloa.  Chris Baum (Charlotte, N.C./Providence H.S.) and Eric Honert (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.) secured the point, winning by the same score at the top of the order against Sergiu Muresan and Mario Naboa.

Chicago State (0-21) picked up a doubles win at number two as Julian Chavez and Rashley Yeremia topped Egan Hart (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft H.S.) and Siddarth Mehta (South Bend, Ind./Clay H.S.) 8-6.

Valpo continued to add victories in singles play.  Lyons coasted to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over McKinney at number six before Baum posted a 6-3, 6-1 win at the top against Naboa.  Woodson secured the team’s win with his 6-3, 6-1 triumph over Ulloa at fifth singles.  Adam Whitmer (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview H.S.) added a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Yeremia at four while Honert needed a match tie-break for his 19^th singles win of the season, downing Muresan 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 at the second spot.  The Cougars lone point came from Chavez at number three, who defeated Kevin DeHerrera (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield H.S.) 6-3, 6-3.

Valparaiso (7-11) will continue the homestand on Saturday, returning to Horizon League action to host Youngstown State.  First serve is slated for 1 p.m. at the Valpo Tennis Complex.