Sunday, April 02, 2006

In a match interrupted by rain, Valparaiso posted its second straight victory and third in its last four outings as the Crusaders defeated Wisconsin-Green Bay 5-2 on Sunday afternoon.

The Crusaders and Phoenix began their match outdoors at the Valparaiso University Tennis Complex, playing singles first in an attempt to beat the weather, however, midway through second sets the rain began, forcing the teams to move to the Northwest Athletic Club in Michigan City, Ind.

Valpo looked strong finishing the singles though, winning four of the six contests. Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) won 6-1, 6-2 over Tim Prudlow at the top of the order while Joe Venegas (Saint Charles, Ill./North H.S.) added a 6-1, 6-4 win against Mark Goldin at second singles. Mike Shideler (Valparaiso, Ind./Munster H.S.) posted a 7-6 (4), 6-4 triumph over Scott Dickert at the fourth spot and Dave Bukowski (Mount Prospect, Ill./Prospect H.S.) added a 6-2, 6-3 victory at fifth singles for the Crusaders over Eric Plaushines.

Wisconsin-Green Bay (5-12) got wins from Matt Keesey 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 at third singles against Mike Wagner (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer H.S.) and Eric Hines at sixth singles by a score of 7-5, 6-4 against Alex Lau (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson Senior H.S.).

The Crusaders then added two of the three doubles contests to finish off the win. Kooyers and Shideler were 8-6 victors over Prudlow and Plaushines at one while Bukowski and Wagner downed Goldin and Keesey 9-8 (4) in a tie-break at second doubles. Hine and Dickert earned the lone doubles win for the Phoenix, besting Lau and Dan Brunette (Carmel, Ind./Lutheran H.S. of Indianapolis) 9-7 at third doubles.

Valparaiso (5-8) will look for its third victory in a row on Monday afternoon as the Crusaders face IPFW. First serve is set for 3 p.m.