Thursday, March 15, 2007

Valparaiso finished up its spring trip on Thursday splitting a pair of matches in Fort Myers, Fla. The Crusaders defeated Fairleigh Dickinson 4-1 in the morning before falling 7-2 to Florida Gulf Coast in the afternoon.

In the morning victory against Fairleigh Dickinson (1-8), the Crusaders opened by winning the doubles point. Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) and Kim Sajevic (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury H.S.) cruised to an 8-0 victory at the third spot. After the Knights won at first doubles, Valpo's number two duo of Jenny Schwartz (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora H.S.) and Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./North H.S.) notched a 9-7 victory to improve to 6-3 at that position this spring.

Valpo continued to play well at the bottom of the singles lineup to increase their lead. Molly Keifer (Richmond, Ind./Richmond H.S.) posted a 6-1, 6-0 victory at the sixth spot as the Brown and Gold improved its record to 9-3 at that position this year. Schwartz did not surrender a game at fifth singles to increase the lead to 3-0 with her 6-0, 6-0 win. After Fairleigh Dickinson won at third singles, Janssen clinched the victory with her 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 win at the top of the lineup. Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) and Chada had their second and fourth singles matches abandoned in the third set due to the match being decided.

The afternoon match saw the 11th ranked team in Division II jump in front in doubles on the way to the victory. Using a nine-point scoring system, the Eagles led 2-1 after doubles competition. Janssen and Sajevic picked up Valpo's lone win, their second victory of the day, 8-5 playing at first doubles.

In singles action, Sajevic was the lone Crusader to earn a victory with her 6-4, 6-1 triumph at the third spot. Janssen also played a tight match, falling in a third set tie-break 7-6 (4), 4-6, 10-7.

Valparaiso (6-7) will return to the courts on Tuesday afternoon as the Crusaders entertain future Horizon League foe Detroit at the Valparaiso University Tennis Complex. First serve is set for 1 p.m. with the action carried live on WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso) and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics.