The Valparaiso University men's tennis team opened its 2003 fall season with three doubles contests at the Bradley Invitational.

The Crusaders played three different schools in doubles action, winning two by 2-1 scores and dropping the third to the hosts. Valpo downed UMKC and Illinois-Chicago.

Against Bradley, Tyler Neemann (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson H.S.) and Nathan Gordon (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth H.S.) registered Valpo's lone victory, 8-6, at third doubles. Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.) and Jeff Vrabel (Allen Park, Mich./St. Francis Cabrini H.S.) forced a tie-break before falling 9-8 (4) at the top spot.

Dunham-Freer and Vrabel redeemed themselves later in the day though, posting a pair of victories at first doubles. They defeated UMKC 8-3 before downing UIC 8-6.

A pair of freshmen, Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) and Joe Venegas (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North H.S.) also picked up a pair of victories over the Kangaroos and Flames. They defeated UMKC 8-5 and Illinois-Chicago 9-8, both at second doubles.

Valpo will return to action on Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m. with singles play at the Bradley Invitational.