Senior Kaitlyn Hamel (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) was victorious at both No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles Sunday at the Valpo Tennis Complex, but Oakland outlasted the Crusaders, 6-1.

Hamel and freshman Kathleen Hebble (Sellersburg, Ind./Silver Creek) doubled up Cam Sabourin/Camille Hemond-Hill, 6-3, as they were the first to complete their doubles match. Valpo was unable to close, however. 

Karine Celis/Juliana Guevara evened doubles play with a 6-2 win over seniors Megan Barthels (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central)/Michele Fredlake (South Bend, Ind./St. Joseph's) at No. 3. The Golden Grizzlies were awarded the doubles point after Tamara Blum and Elizabeth Guy downed Cary Milanes (Miami, Fla./Miami Palmetto) and Paige Heuer (Munster, Ind./Munster) 6-3 at No. 3.

The first singles match of the day went to Oakland's Guevara at No. 6. She got past Fredlake, 6-1, 6-0. The Grizz increased their lead to 3-0 following Theresa Elder's 6-1, 6-1 defeat of Barthels at No. 5.

Hamel's 6-2, 6-2 triumph against Sabourin at No. 1 kept the Brown and Gold alive for the time being. 

Blum subsequently clinched the match for Oakland at No. 4. She beat Milanes, 6-3, 6-4. Guy and Heuer competed in a tight match at No. 3. Guy ended up earning a 6-4, 7-6 (0) win against Heuer.

Celis and Hebble went three sets at No. 2 before the former recorded a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory.

Head coach Traci Young and staff recognized all four seniors - Hamel, Barthels, Fredlake, and Lauren Kammerer (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) - with bouquets and tiaras after the match.

Valpo (3-14) still has one home match remaining in its final three contests. The Crusaders will welcome Chicago State (2-18) to the Valpo Tennis Complex on Tuesday. First serve is slated for 2:30 pm.