Valpo dropped its first outdoor match of the season to Green Bay 6-1 Friday afternoon at the Valpo Tennis Complex.

The Crusaders (9-7, 0-2) fought close with the defending Horizon League champion Phoenix in both doubles and high-ranking singles.

Green Bay's tandem at #1 doubles claimed an 8-7 (7-4) win over Eric Honert and Lucas Waak.  That was before the Phoenix took the doubles point with an 8-3 win at #2, and an 8-5 victory at #3 doubles.

Freshman Michael Baiocchi dropped his match at #4 singles 6-0, 6-4 before Joey Leto knocked off Daniel Etman 6-2, 6-3 at #6.  

Green Bay (11-6, 1-0) clinched the match with a Rowan Isaaks triumph over Waak at #5 singles 6-3, 6-3.

Valpo's point came at #3 singles as freshman Michael Savaglio defeated Leopold Gomez Islinger 1-7, 7-6 (7-5), 10-4 in a marathon match.

Honert and Chris Baum both took their opponents to a tiebreaker.  Honert fell 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 in his match at #1 singles, while Baum lost 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) to Craig Cox at #2 singles.

Valparaiso will be back in action Saturday morning versus the visiting South Dakota State Jackrabbits of the Summit League (6-9, 1-1).  The match kicks off at 10:00 am at the Valpo Tennis Complex.