Saturday, April 16, 2005

Valparaiso made short work of Chicago State on Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders cruised to a 6-1 Mid-Continent Conference victory over the Cougars in Kansas City, Mo.

The win is the second straight for the Brown and Gold.

After winning third doubles by default, the Crusaders need just one victory in doubles action for the first point of the match. Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) and Shabbi Khan (Karachi, Pakistan/Oasys H.S.) took care of that with their 8-2 victory at second doubles.

Valpo also won sixth singles by default, thus needing just two other wins to clinch the match. David Bukowski (Mount Prospect, Ill./Prospect H.S.) was an easy 6-0, 6-0 winner at fifth singles while Mike Shideler (Valparaiso, Ind./Munster H.S.) won 6-3, 6-2 at the fourth spot. Kooyers posted a 7-6, 6-1 win at the top of the order while Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.) notched a 6-3, 7-6 win at second singles. Chicago State (1-11, 0-3 Mid-Con) picked up their lone win at third singles as the Cougars defeated Joe Venegas (Saint Charles, Ill./North H.S.) 5-7, 6-3, 10-8 in three sets.

Valparaiso (5-12, 2-1) will return to the courts on Friday morning as the Crusaders head to Macomb, Ill. for their second conference cluster. The Brown and Gold will face Centenary in a 9 a.m. match.