Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Valparaiso’s women’s tennis team wrapped up its season-opening three-match road trip on Tuesday afternoon, dropping a 7-0 contest to Ball State at the YMCA Tennis Center in Muncie, Ind.

Ball State (3-2) opened the match winning all three very competitive doubles contests.  Georgina Thomson and Dena Boulieris defeated Jenny Schwartz (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora H.S.) and Molly Keifer (Richmond, Ind./Richmond H.S.) 8-4 at the top spot while Sarah Hebble and Kylee Johnson defeated Katie Bilyeu (Terre Haute, Ind./South Vigo H.S.) and Stephanie York (Elkhart, Ind./Jimtown H.S.) 8-2 at second doubles.  In the closest doubles match, the Crusaders’ Julie Wingstrom (Dallas Lake, Ind./Westview H.S.) and Camill Burden (Richmond, Ind./Richmond H.S.), playing together for the first time as partners, dropped an 8-5 decision against Rachel Surowiec and Elizabeth Crasto.

In singles, the Cardinals won all six matches in straight sets.  The closest of the contests came at sixth singles, where Wingstrom extended the second set before falling 6-2, 7-5 against Surowiec.  Schwartz had a battle at number one singles as well before dropping a 6-3, 6-3 match against Hebble.

Boulieris defeated Keifer 6-2, 6-0 at number two singles while Johnson was a 6-0, 6-1 winner against Bilyeu at the number three spot.  Hayley Hall topped York 6-0, 6-2 at fourth singles while Thomson added a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Christine Antrobus (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead H.S.) in the fifth slot in the lineup.

Valparaiso (0-3) will host IUPUI on Friday, February 20 for the Crusaders’ home opener to take place at Matchpoint Tennis Club in Griffith, Ind.  First serve against the Jaguars is set for 4 p.m.