Saturday, January 15, 2005

Valparaiso University kicked off its 2005 spring tennis season on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 7-0 match to Ball State in Muncie, Ind.

The Cardinals won all three doubles matches to open, then swept through singles action with six straight-set victories.

Valpo's Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) and Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.) dropped an 8-5 match at first doubles, while Mike Shideler (Valparaiso, Ind./Munster H.S.) and Blain Keller (Muncie, Ind./Delta H.S.) were defeated 8-2 at the second spot. Joe Venegas (Saint Charles, Ill./North H.S.) and Mike Wagner (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer H.S.) were involved in the tightest match, falling 8-6 at third doubles.

In singles play, Kooyers was swept 6-3, 6-3 at number one, while Dunham-Freer dropped a 6-4, 6-1 decision at second singles. Venegas fell 6-2, 6-4 in the third spot, while Dave Bukowski (Mount Prospect, Ill./Prospect H.S.) fell 6-2, 6-4 playing fourth in the lineup. Shideler lost 7-5, 6-3 at fifth singles, while Wagner dropped a 6-4, 6-1 match in sixth position.

With the victory, Ball State improves to 2-0 on the season.

Valpo (0-1) will return to the courts on Sunday afternoon for an 11 a.m. match against Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Mich.