Saturday, February 11, 2006

Valparaiso continued its season-opening five-match road trip on Saturday afternoon dropping a 7-0 decision to Ball State in Muncie, Ind.

The Cardinals swept all three doubles matches to take the opening point. Matt Baccarani and Joe Epkey downed Nic Kooyers and Mike Shideler 8-5 at the top spot while Valpo's Mike Wagner and Dave Bukowski dropped an 8-3 match Tony Epkey and Patrick Thompson at number two. Ball State's Joe Vallee and Jose Perdomo defeated Joe Venegas and Alex Lau 8-4 at third doubles.

In singles play, Ball State won all six matches in straight sets. Joe Epkey defeated Kooyers 6-2, 6-2 while brother Tony defeated Venegas 6-0, 6-1. Thompson was a 6-1, 6-4 winner over Shideler at number three and Danny Vidal triumphed over Wagner 6-3, 7-5 in the tightest match of the day at fourth singles. At number five Vallee defeated Bukowski 6-2, 6-2 and Perdomo swept Lau 6-1, 6-2.

Valpo (0-4) will close out the road trip next Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. match at DePaul.