Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Valparaiso opened its spring trip in Aguadilla, P.R. on Wednesday, falling to nationally-ranked Virginia Tech 7-0.

The Hokies, ranked #60 in the latest ITA national poll, opened by sweeping the doubles point from the Crusaders.  Martha Blakely and Courtney Rauscher defeated Kristin Zakiewicz (Crystal Lake, Ill./Northridge H.S. [Ind.]) and Katie Bilyeu (Terre Haute, Ind./South Vigo H.S.) 8-1 at the top of the lineup while Shannon Betts and Isel Martinez-Marcos topped Jackie O’Reilly (Green Bay, Wis./DePere H.S.) and Stephanie York (Elkhart, Ind./Jimtown H.S.) at the second spot by the same score.  Megan Conley and Emily Lauten added an 8-3 win over Brittany O’Reilly (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest H.S.) and Aubree Zdanovec (Appleton, Wis./East H.S.) 8-3 at third doubles.

Virginia Tech (7-6) showed in singles why they are nationally ranked.  Jackie O’Reilly fell 6-1, 6-0 at number two singles against Blakely, ranked 120th nationally in singles while all of the other matches were 6-0, 6-0 decisions.  Yasmin Hamza topped Brittany O’Reilly at one while Tea Ivanovic defeated Zakiewicz at three.  Martinez-Marcos downed York at the fourth spot, Lauten was a winner over Bilyeu at number five, and Katie Blow downed Zdanovec at sixth singles.

Valparaiso (0-5) will return to the courts twice on Thursday in Aguadilla.  The Crusaders will face Bryant at 8 a.m. CST before battling Connecticut at 2 p.m. CST.