Tuesday, March 08, 2011

For the second straight day Valparaiso cruised to a 7-0 victory, this time against Robert Morris (Pa.) on Tuesday at the Martin Tennis Complex in Winter Park, Fla.

The Crusaders start the match surrendering just five total games to the Colonials in doubles action.  Jose Gaspar (Sao Paulo, Brazil/CEAD H.S.) teamed with Eric Honert (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.) for the first time this spring and the duo downed Andrew Coiro and Igor Neves 8-1 at the top of the lineup.  Chris Baum (Charlotte, N.C./Providence H.S.) and Adam Whitmer (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview H.S. added an 8-2 victory over Aaron Haas and Ricardo Horlle at the second spot. Kevin DeHerrera (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield H.S.) and Kyle Stump (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth H.S.) capped the sweep at number three doubles with an 8-2 triumph over Tarun Kishan and Jose Limon.

“This was our best doubles start all year,” head coach Jim Daugherty said.  “We played with a lot of fire and continued to play with intensity throughout.”

Valpo continued its strong play in singles action, dropping just two sets against Robert Morris (1-9).  Gaspar, the reigning Horizon League Player of the Week, cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 win over Horlle at number one while DeHerrera won his 10th match of the year, posting a victory by the same score over Neves at the third spot.  Baum needed a match tie-break at number two before dispatching of Coiro 6-1, 5-7, 10-7.

Honert added his 10th win of the season with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Limon at fourth singles while Stump, playing at number five singles for the first time, downed Kishan 6-0, 6-4.  Whitmer added a three-set triumph at the bottom of the order, defeating Liran Braun 6-2, 2-6, 6-1.

“We’re playing more confident as each day goes by,” Daugherty added.  “We look to finish the trip strong tomorrow before opening Horizon League action.

Valparaiso (4-6), winners of four of its last six, will close out its spring trip on Wednesday morning with a 10:30 a.m. CST contest against South Dakota State at the Martin Tennis Complex.