Friday, April 08, 2005

Valparaiso University continued its winning ways on Friday afternoon as the Crusaders swept Oakland 7-0 at Chesterton High School for the Brown and Gold's seventh consecutive victory.

The Crusaders, which have swept four of their five conference matches, opened with easy victories in doubles action. Monika Danko (Northfield, Ill./New Trier H.S.) and Christina Scala (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South H.S.) won 8-1 at the top spot while Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) and Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./North H.S.) won by the same score at third doubles. Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) and Jill Dierberg (Saint Louis, Mo./Lutheran South H.S.) led 6-1 over Oakland (1-9, 1-4 Mid-Con) at second doubles when the match was halted because the Crusaders had earned the point.

Valpo continued with several easy singles victories. Scala did not allow a game in her 6-0, 6-0 victory at fourth singles while Janssen cruised 6-1, 6-1 at the top spot. Dierberg clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-2 win at third singles. Chada posted a 6-2, 6-1 triumph at fifth singles while Evangelist blanked her opponent 6-0, 6-0 at the sixth spot. Danko needed a tie-break to post a 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 win to complete the Crusaders' sweep.

Valparaiso (10-4, 5-0) will return to the courts at Chesterton High School on Saturday for a pair of matches. Valpo will face Oral Roberts (4-10, 1-0) at 9 a.m. and Western Illinois (2-6, 0-1) at 1 p.m.