Friday, March 18, 2005

Valparaiso ended its three-match losing streak on Friday afternoon as the Crusaders defeated Toledo 5-2 in Toledo, Ohio.

The Crusaders opened with a victory in doubles action, taking two of the three matches. Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./North H.S.) and Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) cruised to an 8-3 win at second doubles for the Brown and Gold. Charmaine Stanislaw (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville H.S.), playing in her first doubles match of the year, teamed with Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) for an 8-6 win at the third spot to secure the point. The Rockets took first doubles with an 8-3 win over Valpo's team of Monika Danko (Northfield, Ill./New Trier H.S.) and Christina Scala (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South H.S.).

In singles action, Toledo (7-5) won at the top two spots in the line-up, but Valpo's depth came through as the Crusaders took the final four places to earn the win. Scala was a 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 winner at the third spot while Chada won 6-3, 6-0 at fourth singles. Evangelist recorded a 6-2, 6-3 triumph at the fifth spot and Stanislaw registered the final win, 7-5, 6-0 in the sixth slot. The Rockets downed Janssen 7-5, 7-5 at first singles while also defeating Danko 7-6, 6-2 at number two.

Valpo (3-3) will head to Normal, Ill. on Saturday, March 26 for a 1 p.m. match against Illinois State.