In the fall home opener, Valpo was able to defeat Robert Morris (Ill.) in convincing fashion; taking a 5-2 decision over the visiting Eagles.  The Crusaders swept the doubles competition and won four of six singles matches.

“Today was a great way to kick off the new school year,” said head coach Traci Young.  “I think everyone worked very hard and we deserved the win.”

Monday’s competition started with doubles play.  The pairing of Kristin Zakiewicz (Bristol, Ind./Northridge) and Paige Heuer (Munster, Ind./Munster) got things started for the Crusaders.  In the closest match of the day, Zakiewicz and Heuer were able to defeat Stephanie Messina and Rocio Fernandez 8-7 (7-2) in a tiebreaker.

With the tone now set, Kaitlyn Hamel (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain )and Megan Barthels (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central) would take the court and give up just a single game, defeating Bia Miranda and Maria Bellorin 8-1.  The Crusader pairing of Angelina Goheen (Aurora, Ill./Rosary) and Michele Fredlake (South Bend, Ind./Saint Joseph’s) would win their match by default.

Singles action would follow the doubles competition on Monday afternoon.  The Crusaders kept up the solid play in singles competition, taking four of the six matches.  In No. 2 singles, Hamel took a 6-3, 6-1 decision over Fernandez.  Heuer was able to take a convincing 6-2, 6-1 decision over Messina, while Barthels took a 6-2, 6-1 decision over the Eagles’ Paige Seldal, in No. 3 and No. 5 singles respectively. 

In No. 1 singles, Zakiewicz found herself in a back and forth match with the Eagles’ Miranda.  Zakiewicz, however, was unable to find herself on the right side of a match, falling in a close 6-4, 6-3 decision.  In No.5 singles, Maria Bellorin of RMU was able to defeat Fredlake 6-0, 6-3.  Angelina Goheen would win her match by default.

The Crusader women are back on the court on October 21^st, as the team travels to Detroit, Mich. to take on Wayne State.  Check ValpoAthletics.com for results following the competition.