Valparaiso's men's tennis team dropped a hard fought Mid-Continent Conference opening match to Oral Roberts 6-1 on Friday afternoon in Shreveport, La.

The Golden Eagles took the opening point, winning at both first and third doubles. Valpo's second doubles team of Nic Kooyers (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) and Joe Venegas (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North H.S.) won in a tiebreak 9-8 (3) but it was not enough for the Crusaders.

In singles play, Oral Roberts (1-14, 1-0 Mid-Con) took the first match at second singles to build a 2-0 lead, but Jeff Vrabel (Allen Park, Mich./St. Francis Cabrini H.S.) pulled Valpo within one with his 6-1, 6-2 triumph at the second spot. The Golden Eagles proceeded to win at third and sixth singles though, to clinch the match.

Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.), playing for the first time since March 18 due to injury, dropped a heart-breaking 6-3, 4-6, 11-9 decision at the top spot while Jay Adams (Detroit, Mich./Andover H.S.) battled to a 3-6, 6-3, 10-6 defeat at fifth singles as Oral Roberts earned points five and six.

Valpo (2-11, 0-1) will look to snap an eight-match losing skid on Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders battle Chicago State in Mid-Con play. First serve is set for 1 p.m. in Shreveport.