Friday, February 20, 2004

Valparaiso University's men's tennis team suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat against Dayton on Friday evening at the Northwest Athletic Club in Michigan City, Ind.

The Crusaders fell behind early dropping the doubles point. Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) and Joe Venegas (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North H.S.) registered Valpo's lone win of the three contests, notching an 8-5 victory at second doubles.

Valpo tried to rally in singles action, winning three of the six matches and dropped a fourth in three sets. Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.) cruised in the second set to post a 6-4, 6-0 victory at the top spot. Venegas completed his perfect day with a 6-1, 6-4 win at third singles for the Brown and Gold. Senior Jeff Vrabel (Allen Park, Mich./St. Francis Cabrini H.S.) also registered a win, 6-4, 6-4 at fourth singles. Jay Adams (Detroit, Mich./Andover H.S.) tried to pull out the victory for the Crusaders at the fifth spot, winning the opening set 7-5 before dropping a tough three-set match 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.

Valpo (1-4) will take a week off before returning to action for four matches in four days on the Crusaders spring trip. Action will kick-off on March 7 against Duquesne in Kissimmee, Fla.