Saturday, April 07, 2007

After dropping the doubles point, Valparaiso rallied during singles play to defeat Southern Utah 4-3 in the Crusaders' final match of the opening Mid-Continent Conference cluster held in Las Vegas, Nev. on Saturday afternoon.

Southern Utah (7-14, 3-4 Mid-Con) opened with wins at both first and third doubles to take the first point of the match. Deena Jenson and Lelia Kanuha posted an 8-6 victory over Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) and Julie Wingstrom (Wolcotville, Ind./Westview H.S.) at the top spot while Casie Brooks and Emmi Bulloch were 8-4 winners against Jenny Schwartz (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora H.S.) and Kim Sajevic (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury H.S.).

Valpo took control in singles play though, winning at the top four spots. Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./North H.S.) tied the contest at one with her 6-1, 6-1 victory over Bulloch. Sajevic then added a 6-2, 6-1 triumph over Shanna Docherty at third singles to give the Crusaders the lead and Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) added to it with her 6-0, 6-2 win at second singles. Janssen clinched the match with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Carmen Blanco at the top of the order. Southern Utah earned victories at fifth and sixth singles to round out the match.

Valparaiso (8-9, 2-2) will return to action on Friday morning as the Crusaders head to Rochester, Mich. for their final league cluster. The Crusaders will face Centenary on the first day of action beginning at 8 a.m. CDT.