The Valparaiso University women’s tennis team forced a pair of three-set matches, but was unable to secure a team point in Saturday’s 7-0 loss to Youngstown State at the Boardman Tennis Center. The match marked the start of Horizon League play as the Crusaders took the court for the first time after a two-week layoff. The Penguins are the preseason favorite to win the league.

How It Happened

• The most competitive match of the day came at No. 5 singles, as freshman Dao Sysouvanh (Sun Prairie, Wis. / Sun Prairie) suffered a Set 1 setback to Imaan Hassim 7-5, before bouncing back to take the second set 7-5. That forced a decisive set, and Hassim secured the match by virtue of a 10-4 win.
• The other three-setter occurred at No. 4 singles, as freshman Jordan Kopfer (Eagan, Minn. / Eastview) bounced back from a 6-1 loss in Set 1 by turning the tables on Nehel Sahni with a 6-1 win in Set 2. The Penguins (7-8, 1-1 Horizon) again prevailed in the final set, latching down a 10-2 victory in the third.
• The other matches featured a number of close sets. Meg Modesto (Chesterton, Ind. / Chesterton) lost to Sofia Macias 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3, while Ana Stroe got the better of Randi Wind (Park Ridge, Ill. / Maine South) 6-4, 6-3 at No. 6.
• Dominika Lackova nailed down a 6-4, 6-1 win over Kathleen Hebble (Sellersburg, Ind. / Silver Creek) at No. 1 singles, while Paige Heuer (Munster, Ind. / Munster) was on the wrong end of a 6-0, 6-1 decision against Noelly Nsimba at No. 2.
• The Penguins won the doubles point by taking No. 2 and No. 3. The top doubles match went unfinished with Hebble and Heuer leading 5-4 at the time play was halted.

Next Up

The Crusaders (1-10, 0-1 Horizon) will attempt to bounce back on Sunday afternoon as they continue their Ohio swing by visiting Cleveland State for a match that gets going at 1 p.m. CT. The Vikings are 7-8 and started league by dispatching UIC 5-2 on Saturday. A link to live stats is available on ValpoAthletics.com.