Thursday, March 31, 2005

Valparaiso opened up Mid-Continent Conference action on Thursday afternoon with a convincing 7-0 sweep over UMKC in Indianapolis, Ind.

The Crusaders opened the match winning at first and second doubles for the first point of the day. Monika Danko (Northfield, Ill./New Trier H.S.) and Christina Scala (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South H.S.) posted an 8-0 shutout at the top spot while Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) and Jill Dierberg (Saint Louis, Mo./Lutheran South H.S.) coasted to an 8-2 win at number two. The third doubles team of Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./North H.S.) and Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) led 7-0 when their match was stopped because the double point had been determined.

Valpo continued to cruise in singles play. Evangelist earned the team's second point with a 6-0, 6-0 blanking at the fifth spot while Danko earned a 6-1, 6-0 win at second singles. Chada sewed up the match with her 6-0, 6-0 win at the fourth spot. Charmaine Stanislaw (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville H.S.) notched a 6-2, 6-0 victory at sixth singles while Janssen was triumphant 6-1, 6-2 at the top of the order. Dierberg capped off Valpo's sweep of UMKC (0-5, 0-1 Mid-Con) with a 6-2, 6-1 win at third singles.

Valparaiso (5-4, 1-0) will return to action on Friday for a pair of Mid-Con matches in Indianapolis. The Crusaders will face Chicago State at 8 a.m. CST before battling Southern Utah at noon.