Valparaiso began its spring trip with a non-conference victory over Mid-Continent Conference foe Oakland 4-2 on Friday afternoon in Las Vegas, Nev. to improve to 3-2 on the season.

The Crusaders dropped the doubles points as only Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) and Jenny Schwartz (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora H.S.) notched Valpo's lone win, 8-2 at the top spot. Oakland registered an 8-4 win at the second spot and shutout the Crusaders 8-0 at third doubles to earn the point.

The Golden Grizzlies (2-4) earned another points at sixth singles when Schwartz had to retire, but Valpo would win four other matches to take the contest. Janseen was a 6-0, 6-2 winner at the top spot while Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) earned a 6-0, 6-0 triumph at number three singles. Jill Dierberg (Saint Louis, Mo./Lutheran South H.S.) won 6-1, 6-3 at the fourth spot and Kim Sajevic was a 6-2, 6-1 victor at number five. Second singles was not finished because the match winner had been determined.

Valparaiso (3-2) will continue with action on Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders play another non-conference match against a Mid-Con foe. The Brown and Gold will face Southern Utah beginning at 5 p.m. CST.