Friday, March 16, 2007

Valparaiso ended their spring trip on Friday afternoon dropping an 8-1 decision to NCAA Division II #12 Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Fla.

Using the nine-point scoring system which awards one team point per doubles match as well as singles, the Eagles jumped in front 3-0 sweeping the opening portion of the match. All three matches were decided by one break, two by the scores of 8-6 and one 9-7.

In singles play, Tom Litscher (Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial H.S.) posted Valpo's lone victory, 6-0, 6-4 at the sixth spot in the lineup. Florida Gulf coast (13-2) won four of the singles contests in straight sets. The Crusaders' Mike Shideler (Valparaiso, Ind./Munster H.S.) forced a tie-break for the third set before falling 7-5, 1-6, 10-0 at fourth singles.

Valparaiso (2-7) will return north and travel to East Lansing, Mich. next Saturday, March 24, for a 3 p.m. CDT match against Michigan State.