Saturday, April 17, 2004

Valparaiso University's women's tennis team won their first Mid-Continent Conference title in school history on Saturday morning, defeating Chicago State 7-0 in Las Vegas, Nev. to wrap-up a perfect league season.

The Crusaders, winners of 11 out of their last 12 matches, cruised to the victory over the Cougars, who were playing shorthanded. Valpo opened the day in doubles, needing to win just one match after receiving a default victory at the third spot. Monika Danko (Northfield, Ill./New Trier H.S.) and Christina Scala (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South H.S.) wrapped up the point with an 8-2 win at the second spot. Mara Sonkin (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South H.S.) and Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North H.S.) had their match stopped at first doubles leading 6-3.

In singles play, Valpo took a 3-0 lead right away receiving default wins at the fifth and sixth spots. The Brown and Gold made short work of singles though, winning second, third, and fourth positions in straight sets. Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) was a 6-2, 6-3 winner at the second spot, while Jill Dierberg (St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran South H.S.) cruised 6-3, 6-4 at third singles. Charmane Stanislaw (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville H.S.) also posted a straight sets win at fourth singles, 6-4, 6-2. Sonkin, the lone senior on the squad, needed to rally from a set down at first singles for her 4-6, 6-2, 10-7 triumph.

Valparaiso (12-5, 8-0 Mid-Con) will own the top seed heading into next weekend's Mid-Continent Conference Tournament to be held in Indianapolis. Semifinal matches will be held on Thursday. Chicago State falls to 5-10 overall, 3-4 in the Mid-Con with the loss.