Thursday, March 18, 2004

After dropping three straight 4-3 decisions, Valparaiso's men's tennis team fell 7-0 to Western Michigan on Thursday afternoon in Kalamazoo, Mich.

The Broncos opened the match sweeping the doubles point, though Valpo's team of Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.) and Jeff Vrabel (Allen Park, Mich./St. Francis Cabrini H.S.) fought to an 8-6 defeat at first doubles. Western Michigan won the other matches 8-2 and 8-1.

In singles play, Dunham-Freer battled in the first set falling 7-5 at the top spot before retiring down 3-0 in the second set with an injury. Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) also fought to a 6-4, 6-2 decision at second singles, while Vrabel played a tight 6-3, 6-4 contest at the fourth spot.

Valpo (2-8) will return to the courts on Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders travel to DeKalb, Ill. for a 3 p.m. match against Northern Illinois.