Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Valparaiso snapped its four-match losing skid in impressive fashion on Tuesday afternoon with a 7-0 shut out against Manhattan in Orlando, Fla.

The Crusaders did not drop a set in singles play and surrendered just five games total during doubles competition on the way to the victory.

Kim Sajevic (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury H.S.) and Julie Wingstrom (Wolcotville, Ind./Westview H.S.) got the match rolling with an 8-0 blanking at third doubles. Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) and Kate Evangelist (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West H.S.) clinched the point for the Crusaders with an 8-2 victory at first doubles. Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./North H.S.) and Jenny Schwartz (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora H.S.) completed the doubles sweep with an 8-3 win at the second spot.

Valpo continued to keep the pressure on Manhattan (0-4) as the action moved to singles. Lindsey Gustafson (Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy) started things off with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at sixth singles followed by Sajevic's 6-0, 6-2 win at the third spot. Janssen clinched the victory for the Crusaders with her 6-4, 6-4 victory at the top of the lineup. For the senior, the win was her team-leading 13th on the year.

Chada added a 6-1, 6-2 win at fourth singles while Schwartz added a 6-3, 6-2 victory in the fifth spot. Evangelist completed the shutout with her 6-3, 6-2 triumph at second singles, moving her over .500 to 9-8 on the season in singles action.

Valparaiso (5-6) will take Wednesday off before returning to the courts on Thursday for a pair of matches in Fort Myers, Fla. The Crusaders will face Fairleigh Dickinson at 8 a.m. CDT before facing NCAA Division II #11 Florida Gulf Coast in a 1 p.m. CDT match.