The Crusader women were unable to right the ship on Sunday afternoon, falling to Oakland 6-1 in an important Horizon League match. Freshman Paige Heuer (Munster, Ind./Munster) won Valparaiso its only point of the day with a win in No.3 singles. Heuer leads the team in singles victories with six on the season.

Oakland swept the doubles contest, winning No.2 doubles 8-1 and No.3 doubles 8-2. The No.1 doubles contest featuring the Crusader pairing of Kristin Zakiewicz (Bristol, Ind./Northridge) and Kaitlyn Hamel (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) was retired after Oakland had secured the doubles point. Oakland carried a 6-4 advantage in the retired contest.

In the singles competition, Valparaiso nearly leveled the match with tough play at No.1 singles. Hamel played an impressive first set before falling in the tie-breaker 7-6 (7-4). Valparaiso’s No.1 singles player was unable to recover in the second set, falling 6-3 to give Oakland the point.

Zakiewicz also played well enough in No.2 singles to earn a point for Valparaiso, but the senior was unable to overcome Oakland’s Celis, falling 6-4, 6-4 in the contest.

Heuer put together a dominating performance at No.3 singles, easily winning the contest 6-1, 6-1. Heuer’s victory would turn out to be Valparaiso’s lone point of the match, as Oakland cruised through the remaining singles matches; winning 6-0, 6-0 at No.4 singles, 6-2, 6-2 at No.5 singles, and 6-0, 6-1 at No.6 singles.

The Crusaders continue their road trip Monday, April 14^th with a match at Chicago State. The match will begin at 3:00 p.m. and will be Valparaiso’s final nonleague match of the season.