Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Valparaiso Crusaders men's tennis team defended their home court with a pair of 7-0 victories over visiting Grace College and Chicago State Saturday.

Chris Baum and Danny Oakes won their match 8-4 in the No. 2 doubles spot over Michael Blevins and Jack Wang.  In the No. 1 doubles contest, Eric Honert and Lucas Waak prevailed by the same 8-4 score against Daniel Sanchez and Aaron Blevins.

In No. 1 singles action, Honert won handily over Aaron Blevins 6-0, 6-2. Baum, now in the No. 2 slot, earned a victory over Michael Blevins 6-0, 6-4.  

The Crusaders clinched the match with a trio of 6-1, 6-1 wins by Michael Savaglio, Michael Baiocchi, and Waak.  Brian Hickey took the No. 6 matchup with a quick 6-0, 6-2 victory.

Valpo came back in the afternoon and picked up right where they had left off.  

The Crusaders took the doubles point thanks to 8-3 wins by Honert/Waak and Baum/Oakes, and an 8-2 triumph by Baiocchi/Savaglio.  

Honert was the only Crusader tested in the Chicago State match as he eventually outlasted Sergiu Muresan with a 7-5, 6-3 win at No. 1 singles. 

Baum won at No. 2 singles 6-3, 6-1.  Savaglio took his match in straight sets as well 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3.  No. 4 singles saw Baiocchi defeat Rashley Yeremia 6-0, 6-3.  

Waak cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 win opposite Jean Paul Jones at No. 5 singles.  The No. 6 match was the first one over when Hickey beat Luis Ulloa 6-1, 6-3.

With the pair of wins, Valparaiso increases its record to 3-0.  

Valparaiso will hit the road next weekend when they'll take on Northern Illinois Friday evening at 5:45 pm in DeKalb, Illinois.  It'll be a quick turnaround for the Crusaders as Dayton will await them Saturday morning at 10:00 am in DeKalb.