Valparaiso University's men's tennis team opened its 2004 spring season on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 7-0 match at Ball State in Muncie, Ind.

The Cardinals opened the contest sweeping all three doubles contests. Ben Dunham-Freer (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands H.S.) and Jeff Vrabel (Allen Park, Mich./St. Francis Cabrini H.S.) dropped a tight 8-5 decision at first doubles while Jay Adams (Detroit, Mich./Andover H.S.) and Evan Roller (Canton, Mich./Plymouth Salem H.S.) lost by the same score at third doubles.

In singles play, Vrabel was involved in the tightest match, falling 7-5, 6-3 at fourth singles while Joe Venegas (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North H.S.) fell 6-1, 6-4 in the third spot.

Valpo (0-1) will return to the courts on February 1 when the Brown and Gold travel to East Lansing, Mich. to battler Michigan State in a 4 p.m. match.