The Horizon League's up-and-coming men's tennis team returns home Friday for the opening of the Valparaiso Fall Invitational. The Crusaders are coming off 18 combined singles and doubles victories during last weekend's Purdue Invitational. Cardinal Stritch University, Chicago State, Goshen, Huntington University, and Olivet Nazarene University will all battle Valpo for bragging rights in the two-day event.

Play starts at 9 a.m. both days. Two rounds of doubles will be played Friday morning prior to a pair of singles rounds beginning at noon. On Saturday, one round of doubles will be held before two singles rounds.

There will be three singles flights (A, B, and C) of 16 players matched in a compass draw, and three doubles flights (also A, B, and C) of eight teams each, also in a compass draw. Each player will get three doubles and four singles matches.

Last year, Valpo won five of the six possible titles. Eric Honert defeated teammate Michael Savaglio in the finals of the A singles flight while Michael Baiocchi and Brian Hickey were champs of the B and C singles flights respectively. Baiocchi and Danny Oakes were winners of the B doubles flight and Savaglio and Egan Hart claimed the C doubles draw.

Drawings will be held for shirts throughout the event. T-shirts will also be available for sale both days.

Be sure to check Valpoathletics.com for the latest scores from this weekend's Fall Invitational.