Valparaiso's women's tennis team opened Mid-Continent Conference action with a pair of victories on Friday in Chicago. The Crusaders swept Oral Roberts and Western Illinois each by 7-0 scores.

In the morning match against the Golden Eagles, the Crusaders opened by sweeping the doubles point. Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) and Jill Dierberg (St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran South H.S.) won their match 8-3 at the third spot, while Monika Danko (Northfield, Ill./New Trier H.S.) and Christina Scala (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South H.S.) clinched the point with an 8-2 triumph. Mara Sonkin (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South H.S.) and Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North H.S.) had their match stopped leading 7-1.

The Brown and Gold swept through singles play as well. Danko posted a 6-1, 6-0 win at fourth singles for point two, while Janssen was a 6-2, 6-2 winner at the second spot. Sonkin secured the win with her 6-1, 6-1 triumph at the top spot, while Dierberg tallied a 6-3, 6-3 win at third singles. Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) tallied an easy 6-0, 6-0 win at the sixth spot. Oral Roberts (2-14, 1-4 Mid-Con) forced Chada to super tie-break at the fifth spot, but the freshman posted a come-from-behind 5-7, 6-1, 10-3 win.

In the afternoon, Valpo breezed past the Westerwinds. Chada and Evangelist teamed for an 8-3 win at second doubles and Janssen and Dierberg were 8-1 winners to secure the first point. Danko and Scala had their match stopped leading 7-3 at first doubles.

In singles play, Chada won point two for the Brown and Gold, with her 6-1, 6-0 win at third singles. Sonkin was then a 6-2, 6-0 winner at the top spot, while Scala clinched the match with her 6-1, 6-1 triumph in the fourth slot. Charmane Stanislaw (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville H.S.) posted a 2-6, 6-0, 10-4 win at sixth singles, while Evangelist was an easy 6-0, 6-0 winner at the fifth slot. Danko rounded out the match with a 6-7 (3), 6-3, 10-5 win at second singles.

With the wins, Valparaiso improves to 6-5 overall and 2-0 in the Mid-Con. Western Illinois falls to 3-12, 1-5. The Crusaders will continue play in Chicago on Saturday with a 9 a.m. match against Oakland.