Freshman Chad Kissell (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) earned his first-ever Horizon League Men's Tennis Player of the Week honor Tuesday. Kissell went 2-1 in singles, with one of those victories coming at No. 2. The rookie also rattled off a 2-0 record at No. 3 doubles alongside Kyle Dunn (Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac) as the Crusaders improved to 11-5 on the season.

Kissell registered a straight-set win at George Mason last Friday with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph at No. 2 over Joe Hill. Kissell and Dunn were leading 5-3 at No. 3 doubles when Valpo clinched the point at No. 1.

Kiseell and Dunn got into the win column on Saturday at #60 William and Mary. The duo dispatched Lars de Boer/Damon Niquet, 6-4, at No. 3 for the Crusaders' lone victory in doubles.

The Pennsylvania native put a bow on a stellar week Sunday in Valpo's 5-2 win at Richmond. Kissell and Dunn gutted out a 6-4 triumph at No. 3 versus Brice Polender and Caleb Troy before the freshman went on to record a 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) win at No. 3 singles.

Kissell is 18-8 in singles on the season, just one victory behind star Jeffrey Schorsch (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) for the team watermark. Kissell is also 11-7 in doubles play.

Valpo (11-5) will return to Northwest Indiana to host Lewis and Saint Joseph's (Ind.) on Saturday, March 19th. The matches were added once a date opened up following a cancellation of the team's match against UMBC last week. First serve is slated for 12:00 pm at the Valpo Tennis Complex, weather pending.