Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Valparaiso squared its record heading into Mid-Continent Conference play with a convincing 6-1 victory over IPFW on Tuesday evening in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Crusaders swept through doubles play, winning all three matches by 8-2 scores. Monika Danko (Northfield, Ill./New Trier H.S.) and Christina Scala (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South H.S.) took control of first doubles while Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) and Jill Dierberg (Saint Louis, Mo./Lutheran South H.S.) triumphed at the second spot. Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./South H.S.) and Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) closed out the sweep at third doubles.

Valpo won five singles matches in straight sets. Janssen was a 6-1, 6-2 winner at the top spot while Dierberg took a 6-3, 6-3 decision at third singles. Scala won 7-5, 6-2 at fourth singles while Chada cruised 6-2, 6-2 at number five. Evangelist did not surrender a game in her 6-0, 6-0 victory at sixth singles. IPFW (4-9) recorded its lone win at second singles. Danko forced three sets before falling 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

Valparaiso (4-4) heads to Indianapolis, Ind. on Thursday to open Mid-Continent Conference play with a weekend cluster. The Crusaders will face UMKC at 12 p.m. CST.