Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Valparaiso University’s Jose Gaspar (Sao Paulo, Brazil/CEAD H.S.) has been named the Horizon League’s Player of the Week in men’s tennis after posting a pair of singles victories last week.

Gaspar began his week rallying from a set down to defeat Grayson Mills of Presbyterian 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 at number one singles, keeping the Crusaders in the match against the Blue Hose, a contest Valpo would eventually drop 5-2.  The senior then added a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Shane Ecklund of Saint Cloud State on Monday as the Brown and Gold earned a 7-0 shutout victory.

In doubles action, Gaspar teamed with Chris Baum (Charlotte, N.C./Providence H.S.) at the top spot in both matches.  The duo downed Ecklund and Joao Orsi of Saint Cloud State 8-4 but fell in a tight 9-7 match to Rafael Berghaus and Andrew Brigham of Presbyterian.

For the season Gaspar is tied for third on the team with eight singles victories.