Saturday, February 10, 2007

Valparaiso registered a victory at first doubles on Saturday, but that was the lone win for the Crusaders as the Brown and Gold dropped a 7-0 decision to Ball State in Muncie, Ind.

Valpo's top doubles team of Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) and Joe Venegas (Saint Charles, Ill./North H.S.) registered an 8-7 (5) tie-break victory over the Cardinals' top team of Joe Epkey and Jose Perdomo. Ball State managed victories at the other two doubles spots though to earn the first point of the match.

Ball State (2-3) then won all six singles contests to complete the shutout. Kooyers battled through three sets before falling at first singles though for Valpo, dropping a 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2 decision to Epkey. Venegas also had a tough match before dropping his fifth singles contest 4-6, 7-6 (8), 10-5 to Joe Vallee.

Valparaiso (0-3) will look for its first victory of the season on Sunday morning as the Crusaders entertain Eastern Illinois at Matchpoint Tennis Club. First serve is set for 9 a.m.