The Valparaiso University men’s tennis team extended its winning streak to 11 with a 7-0 whitewash of Duquesne on Friday morning at the USTA Center in Orlando, Fla. The Crusaders won every set to sustain their dominance during the spring trip.
How It Happened
- The Crusaders once again started a match on the right foot by taking the doubles point. Jeffrey Schorsch and Dave Bacalla teamed up at No. 1 doubles and made quick work of Adam Blasinky and Chris Corrao 6-2.
- The doubles point was secured when Garrett Gardner and Brandon Ancona got the best of Andrew Ong and Dane Bendel 6-1 at No. 3.
- Just for good measure, the Crusaders won at No. 2 doubles as well. Chad Kissell and Charlie Emhardt topped Tim Kane and Jared Isaacs 6-4.
- Ancona was the first player to finish his singles match, beating Ong 6-2, 6-1.
- Kissell played No. 1 singles for this match and took down Blasinky 6-3, 6-4.
- Emhardt delivered the match-clinching point at No. 3 singles, prevailing over Drew Akins 6-3, 6-2.
- Daniel Langston was sharp at No. 5 singles, defeating Jared Isaacs 6-3, 6-3.
- The closest set of the day came at No. 4 singles, as Kyle Dunn nipped Tim Kane 7-5 in the first set. The most lopsided set of the day also occurred at No. 4, as Dunn walloped Kane in Set 2 7-0.
- Bacalla and Dane Stavropoulos were the last to finish, with Bacalla recording a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 2.
Inside the Match
- The Crusaders upped their record to 12-1, while the Dukes dropped to 5-8.
- Kissell played No. 1 for the second time this season and improved to 2-0 when holding that position. He stands at 15-6 overall and 8-3 in dual matches.
- Langston played at No. 5 for the first time in his career. He upped his record to 10-2 overall.
- Ancona extended his winning streak to seven with his singles victory.
- Dunn furthered his team lead by capturing his 17th victory of the season.
- This was the first time Ancona and Gardner have played doubles together in a match situation. Ancona has now played with five different partners this season.
- Emhardt and Kissell are a perfect 4-0 when paired together. Schorsch and Bacalla now stand at 3-0 as a duo.
Next Up
The Crusaders have a pair of matches on their final day competing in Florida on Sunday. They begin the day by clashing with Liberty at 10:30 a.m. before facing off with Fairleigh Dickinson in the final match of the spring trip on Sunday at 4 p.m.