The Valparaiso women’s tennis team played its last nonleague match of the season on Monday afternoon, falling to Chicago State 7-0 at the HF Racquet and Fitness Club in Homewood, Ill. The No.3 doubles pairing of Megan Barthels (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central) and Paige Heuer (Munster, Ind./Munster) won the lone contest of the match for the Crusaders.

Barthels and Heuer won the No.3 doubles contest in thrilling fashion, taking an 8-7(8-6) victory over their Cougar opponents. The win was the fifth of the season for the Crusader pairing in all doubles contests. Despite the victory, Chicago State won the doubles point with 8-1 wins at both No.1 and No.2 doubles.

With the doubles point in hand, Chicago State secured the victory with straight set wins in No.1, No.2, and No.3 singles. Kristin Zakiewicz (Bristol, Ind./Northridge) nearly pushed the No.2 singles contest to a third set, taking three games in the second set but eventually falling 6-3. Valparaiso was unable to claim a point in the remaining singles contests.

Valparaiso (1-5 Horizon) now prepares for its final two matches of the season, both at home against Horizon League opponents. On Friday, April 18^th, the Crusaders welcome Youngstown State (4-2 Horizon) to the Valpo Tennis Complex. The match is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start. The Crusader women then close out the regular season on Saturday, April 19^th with a match against Cleveland State at the Valpo Tennis Complex.