Saturday, April 02, 2005

Valparaiso remained perfect in the Mid-Continent Conference and won its fifth straight match overall on Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders defeated IUPUI 5-2 in Indianapolis, Ind.

The Crusaders needed to come from behind to earn the win though, as the Jaguars opened by taking the double's point. IUPUI (8-7, 3-1 Mid-Con) posted an 8-0 win over Monika Danko (Northfield, Ill./New Trier H.S.) and Christina Scala (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South H.S.) at first doubles. Valpo's Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./North H.S.) and Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) were 8-2 winners at the third spot by the Jaguars took the decisive second singles match, downing Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) and Jill Dierberg (Saint Louis, Mo./Lutheran South H.S.) 8-6.

In singles play, Dierberg tied the match at one with a 6-2, 6-2 win at the third spot. Evangelist gave Valpo a 2-1 lead with her 6-0, 6-1 victory at sixth singles, only to have IUPUI tie the match at two after Danko fell 6-1, 6-2 at second singles. Janssen put Valpo within a point of winning the match with a 6-1, 6-4 victory at the top spot. The Crusaders needed a pair of three-set victories to clinch the match though. Scala rallied from a set down for a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win at the fourth spot while Chada did the same notching a 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 triumph at fifth singles.

Valparaiso (8-4, 4-0) will step out of conference play on Tuesday to travel to Marion, Ind. for a 2 p.m. match against Indiana Wesleyan.