Friday, September 07, 2012

The Valparaiso men's tennis team opened the 2012 fall season on Friday with doubles action at the Art Peterson Invitational in Macomb, Ill., hosted by Western Illinois. The day was highlighted by Michael Baiocchi (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) and Michael Savaglio (Kenosha, Wis./Mary D. Bradford) winning the second flight of doubles play.

Baiocchi and Savaglio, both freshmen, opened their collegiate careers with an 8-6 victory over Olivet Nazarene's Camilo Giraldo and Peter Jensen. The duo then dispatched of Ben Yue and Mitch Granger from Western Illinois, 8-1, before downing Adam King and Patrick Spain of Truman State in the championship.

The Crusaders' other two doubles squads both went 1-2 on Friday. Junior Eric Honert (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley) and freshman Daniel Oakes (Elburn, Ill./Saint Charles North) dropped their opening match in the first flight, 8-6, but defeated Griffen Smith and Jake Ohlhausen of Truman State in the back draw, 8-6. Freshmen Brian Hickey (Western Springs, Ill./Fenwick) and Lucas Waak (Manitowoc, Wis./Roncalli) also dropped their opener in the third flight, 8-6, but blanked Dan White and Rory Stewart of Roosevelt in the back draw, 8-0.

Valparaiso concludes the Art Peterson Invitational on Saturday with singles play.