Valparaiso dropped its home opener 5-2 to St. Mary's (Ind.) on Wednesday afternoon at Brown Courts.

Mara Sonkin (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrenville South H.S.) posted a 6-4, 6-1 victory at first singles for the Crusaders. Jill Dierberg (St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran South H.S.) moved up to third singles and won 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 for the Brown and Gold's other singles win.

The Belles also took the doubles point, as Valpo could win just one match on the afternoon. Dierberg teamed with Monika Danko (Northfield, Ill./New Trier H.S.) for just the second time this season and recorded an 8-2 victory at second doubles.

Valparaiso (2-5) will return to action on Saturday afternoon with a 12 p.m. CST match at Indiana Wesleyan.