Sunday, March 08, 2009

Valparaiso started its spring trip in triumphant fashion on Sunday afternoon, shutting out Robert Morris (Pa.) 7-0 in Orlando, Fla.

“This is a very good start to our spring trip,” head coach Jim Daugherty said.  “Hopefully this is a good confidence booster that the team can build upon throughout the week.”

The Crusaders started strong in doubles, sweeping all three matches.  Kevin DeHerrera (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield H.S.) and Adam Whitmer (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview H.S.) were 8-2 victors over Aaron Haas and Rayn Cameron at third doubles.  Alex Lau (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson Senior H.S.) and Tom Litscher (Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial H.S.) solidified the doubles point with an 8-4 win over Sean Curley and Igor Neves at the top spot, and Phidias Fortune (San Antonio, Texas/Madison H.S.) and Kyle Stump (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth H.S.) capped the doubles sweep with their 8-6 victory over Daniel Becker and David Pinto at the second spot.

Valpo then swept all six singles matches against Robert Morris (0-7), including five in straight sets.  Lau was a 6-3, 6-3 winner at the top of the lineup against Curley while Litscher posted a 6-3, 6-2 win against Cameron at the second spot.  DeHerrera rallied from a set down to top Neves 1-6, 6-4, 10-5 in a super tie-break for the third set at number three singles.  Fortune cruised to a 6-4, 6-0 win against Pinto at the fourth spot while Stump notched a 6-0, 7-6 (4) victory over Haas at fifth singles.  Whitmer completed the sweep with his 6-2, 6-1 win over Becker at the bottom of the order.

Valparaiso (2-3) will return to the courts on Monday morning, taking on Shorter College in Orlando.  First serve is set for 10:30 a.m. CDT.  In addition, the Crusaders have announced a schedule change for Tuesday.  Valpo will now face South Dakota State instead of Bethel (Tenn.) beginning at 5:30 p.m. CDT.