Crusaders Nipped by SIU-Edwardsville to Close Spring Trip
Thursday, March 13, 2008

Box Score

            Valparaiso wrapped up play in Orlando, Fla. as part of its spring trip on Thursday afternoon, dropping a tight 4-3 decision to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.

            Playing singles first on Thursday, the two schools split the six matches.  Valpo’s Kim Sajevic (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury H.S.) posted a 6-4, 7-6 (6) decision at the top of the order for the Crusaders against Carli Connors.  Molly Keifer (Richmond, Ind./Richmond H.S.) added a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Kelsey Laird at the three spot and Julie Wingstrom (Dallas Lake, Ind./Westview H.S.) notched a three-set 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Stephanie Clark at fifth singles.

            SIU-Edwardsville (3-4) earned wins from Lauran Horning at second singles against Jenny Schwartz (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora H.S.) 6-2, 6-4 and Ali Wulfers downed Lindsey Gustafson (Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy) 6-1, 6-0 at number four singles.  Sarah Rhein earned a 6-0, 6-1 victory at number six against Christine Antrobus (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead H.S.).

            The Cougars won the match winning two of the three doubles contests to clinch the final point.  Horning and Connors topped Keifer and Schwartz 8-4 at the top spot while Wulfers and Amanda Niebur defeated Gustrafson and Laura Lawson (Throntown, Ind./Western Boone H.S.) 8-2 at three doubles.  Valpo earned a win from Sajevic and Wingstrom, 8-5 against Rhein and Clark, at the second spot.

            Valparaiso (1-5) will host Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday afternoon in the Crusaders’ outdoor home opener at the Valparaiso University Tennis Complex.  First serve is set for 4 p.m.