In a contest that was decided by the final match of the day, Valparaiso dropped a 4-3 Horizon League match to Youngstown State on Saturday afternoon at the Northwest Athletic Club in Michigan City, Ind.

The Penguins opened the match winning the opening doubles point.  After Valpo won by default at number three doubles, Marta Burak and Carolyn Jesko topped Megan Bartels (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central H.S.) and Kristin Zakiewicz (Bristol, Ind./Northridge H.S.) 8-4 at the top spot.  Lauren Hankle and Gimena Puppo then won the deciding match at number two 8-6 against Stephanie York (Elkhart, Ind./Jimtown H.S.) and Kaitlyn Hamel (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain H.S.).

The match was tied at one as singles started as the Crusaders gained a point at the sixth spot by default.  Brittany O’Reilly (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest H.S.) gave the Crusaders a lead with her 6-0, 6-0 win at the fifth spot against Jennifer Moore.  Youngstown State (1-14, 1-4 Horizon) took a 3-2 advantage with wins at the top two positions in the lineup.  Burak topped Bartels 6-0, 6-0 at number one while Hankle was a 6-1, 6-3 winner over York at second singles.

Hamel tied the match at three with her 6-1, 6-4 victory over Jesko at number three singles, but the Penguins’ Puppo posted a three-set victory, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 at the fourth spot to earn the victory.

Valparaiso (4-13, 0-6) will close out the home portion of its 2011-2012 schedule on Sunday morning, hosting Cleveland State.  First serve is slated for 11 a.m. at the Northwest Athletic Club.