Saturday, February 19, 2005

Valparaiso split the six doubles matches with Marquette on Saturday afternoon, but could not register a doubles win as the Crusaders fell 4-3 in Milwaukee, Wis.

The Crusaders were swept in doubles to open the match. Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.) and Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) dropped an 8-5 decision at the top spot while Tim Shideler (Valparaiso, Ind./Munster H.S.) and Joe Venegas (Saint Charles, Ill./North H.S.) fell 8-4. Shabbi Khan (Karachi, Pakistan/Oasys H.S.) and Mike Wagner (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer H.S.) dropped a 9-8 (2) decision at the third spot.

In singles play, Valpo won at each of the top two spots. Kooyers was a 6-4, 7-5 winner at number one, while Dunham-Freer posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory at the second spot. Shideler earned the Crusaders other win, 6-4, 6-4 at fifth singles.

Marquette (6-4) won the other three singles contest though. Venegas dropped a 6-4, 6-4 match at the third spot, while Dave Bukowski (Mount Prospect, Ill./Prospect H.S.) fell 6-1, 6-3 at fourth singles. Wagner lost 7-5, 7-6 (2) at sixth singles.

Valparaiso (0-6) will take a couple of weeks off before venturing to Florida for their spring trip in search of their first win of the year. The Crusaders will battle Villanova on March 6 in Orlando, Fla. in a 12 p.m. CST contest.