For the third time since Valparaiso University joined the Missouri Valley Conference, the campus will serve as a host site for an MVC Championship event this weekend.

The MVC Individual Tennis Championships will be hosted by the Beacons from Friday, Oct. 8 to Sunday, Oct. 10 at the Valpo Tennis Complex. If weather forces play to move indoors at any point this weekend, The Courts of Northwest Indiana will serve as the alternate site. Play will begin at 9 a.m. each day.

“This is a true honor to be able to host this event,” head coach Bob Modesto said. “We were slated to host last year, but our opportunity to do so was delayed by a year due to COVID-19. We are eager to have everyone from the conference here in Valparaiso. Hosting is a lot of work, but it’s a joyful labor and joyful work. We’re really looking forward to showcasing Valpo and our great facility.”

Individual singles players and doubles teams from Illinois State, UNI, Missouri State, Drake, Bradley and Stony Brook will compete in this weekend’s championship. Individual champions will be awarded in seven singles flights and three doubles flights. The previous instances of Valpo hosting MVC championship events were the Women’s Golf Championship in April 2019 and the Cross Country Championship in November 2019.

The Beacons have enjoyed a successful fall season that started with a 7-0 dual match win over Holy Cross and continued with the Redbird Invite at Illinois State, the ITA Midwest Regional at the University of Illinois and the Rocket Invite at Toledo. After this weekend’s event, they will close out the fall season with a home dual match against Grand Valley State on Saturday, Oct. 16.

“It’s been a phenomenal fall so far,” Modesto said. “Each weekend, we’ve had some great victories. We’ve had some indicators that we’re doing the right things and everyone is moving in the right direction. Our performances at our recent events give us a lot of optimism for this weekend.”

Valpo’s Olivia Czerwonka (Kenosha, Wis. / Saint Joseph Catholic Academy) is the top seed in Flight 2 and will receive a first-round bye in this weekend’s event. In addition, Claire Czerwonka (Kenosha, Wis. / Saint Joseph Catholic Academy) enters the weekend one doubles victory away from becoming the program’s all-time recordholder in career doubles victories. She is currently tied with Mara Sonkin (2000-2004) atop the program record book with 55 career doubles wins.

“We’re excited about Olivia being the No. 1 seed in her flight and we’re optimistic about her chances,” Modesto said. “I also feel optimistic about the rest of our team’s chances this weekend. Everyone has been working hard and putting in the necessary time. Our graduate assistant coach Patrick McAuley has been instrumental in helping everyone and has been putting a lot of time in with our players. We’re going into the weekend feeling great about our chances across the board.”

For draws, order of play and additional information on this weekend’s championships, view the Championship Central page at https://www.valpoathletics.com/wtennis/MVCITC/.