Sunday, January 16, 2005

Valparaiso University dropped its second straight match on Sunday morning, falling 7-0 to Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Mich.

The Broncos, which were ranked 63rd in the country entering play, won all three doubles contests and swept the six singles matches all in straight sets.

Western Michigan (1-1) won two of the three doubles matches easily. Valpo's Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.) and Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) fell 8-1 at first doubles, while Blain Keller (Muncie, Ind./Delta H.S.) and Mike Shideler (Valparaiso, Ind./Munster H.S.) lost 8-2 at the third spot. Joe Venegas (Saint Charles, Ill./North H.S.) and Mike Wagner (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer H.S.) held their own at the second spot before falling 8-5.

In singles play, Kooyers dropped a 6-4, 6-1 match at the top spot, while Dunham-Freer fell 6-2, 7-5 at second singles. Venegas fell 6-4, 6-0 in third position, while David Bukowski (Mount Prospect, Ill./Prospect H.S.) dropped a 6-3, 6-2 decision at fourth singles. Shideler forced a second set tiebreak before falling 6-3, 7-6 (3), while Wagner dropped a 6-1, 6-1 match at the sixth spot.

Valpo (0-2) will return to the courts on Saturday for a 2 p.m. match in Chicago, Ill. against DePaul.