Saturday, February 05, 2005

Valparaiso opened its 2005 spring season with a 6-1 victory over Bradley on Saturday afternoon in Peoria, Ill.

The Crusaders needed to battle to win the opening doubles point from the Braves. Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./North H.S.) and Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) had their second doubles match extended a bit before pulling off a 9-7 win. Rachel Janseen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) and Jill Dierberg ( Saint Louis, Mo./Lutheran South H.S.) pulled off the other victory of the night at third doubles, 8-4, to secure the point. Monika Danko (Northfield, Ill./New Trier H.S.) and Christina Scala (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South H.S.) lost in a tie-break 9-8 (4) to Bradley's top duo.

Valpo needed to rally in singles to post victories at the first and third spots in the line-up. Janssen dropped the first set at the top spot before winning 3-6, 7-5, 6-1, while Scala also fell in the opening set before recording a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 triumph. Dierberg cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win at the fourth spot, while Chada and Evangelist each won 6-0, 6-1 at fifth and sixth doubles respectively.

Bradley's (0-2) lone point came at second doubles with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Danko.

Valpo (1-0) will return to the courts on Saturday night as the Crusaders travel to Evansville for a 6 p.m. match with the Purple Aces.