Playing in their second match of the weekend, and the final match before a short break in the schedule, the Crusader women’s tennis team dropped its match against IPFW by a score of 7-0.

The visiting Mastodons swept doubles play to enter the singles competition with a one point advantage. Kristin Zakiewicz (Bristol, Ind./Northridge) and Kaitlyn Hamel (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) were defeated 8-4 in No.1 doubles. Megan Barthels (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central) and Paige Heuer (Munster, Ind./Munster) would also fall in No.2 doubles by an 8-3 score-line. Michele Fredlake (South Bend, Ind./St. Joseph’s) and Angelina Goheen (Aurora, Ill./Rosary) were unable to win a game in their No.3 doubles match.

With the doubles point in hand, the Mastodons would go on to sweep singles play as well. Zakiewicz showed solid play in No.2 singles, falling in the first set but coming back to win the second set 6-1. Zakiewicz was unable to capture the point for Valparaiso, however, as the senior would be defeated in the third set 10-5.

In No.1 singles, Hamel took four games in the first set and one in the second in a 6-4, 6-1 loss. In No.3 singles, Heuer was unable to stretch her winning streak to three straight matches, losing the match 6-1, 6-4. Morgan Paras (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) was unable to win a game in the No.6 singles match, falling 6-0, 6-0.

Barthels and Fredlake would each drop their respective matches in No.4 and No.5 singles by scores of 6-1, 6-0, and 6-1, 6-1.

The Crusader women will have nearly three weeks before they take the court again. Valparaiso will travel to Puerto Rico on Thursday, March 13^th to play two matches in warm, sunny weather. The Crusaders will meet Providence on March 13^th, and Long Island the next day on March 14^th.