Three singles matches went three sets, the doubles point came down to a tiebreaker, but Valpo persevered for a 5-2 win over UIC at the Flames Outdoor Tennis Courts in Chicago on Sunday afternoon.

Dave Bacalla (Skokie, Ill./Niles North) and Chase Hamilton (Hinsdale, Ill./Central) doubled up Maurizio Feoli/Eric Pontow, 6-3, at No. 3 doubles in the first tilt of the day. UIC's No. 3 tandem of Christopher Cole and Mitch Granger evened things up with their 7-5 win over Lucas Waak (Manitowoc, Wis./Roncalli)/Garrett Gardner (Poland, Ohio/Poland). Jeffrey Schorsch (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) and Charlie Emhardt (Camrel, Ind./Carmel) provided the point-clinching victory with a 7-6 (4) result over Isaac Lloveras/Carl Hedstrom atop doubles play.

Feoli quickly moved the match all square at 1-1 following his 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 5 against Kyle Dunn (Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac). Schorsch regained the lead for the Crusaders thanks to a 7-5, 6-1 triumph versus Cole at No. 2. 

Emhardt gave the Brown and Gold a 3-1 edge by virtue of a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 4 over Granger. Bacalla won the all-important fourth point of the match after he dismissed Lloveras 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1.

Hedstrom claimed the Flames' second point of the day, defeating Gardner 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3. Hamilton finished off the afternoon with a 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-4 victory in his No. 6 duel against Max Cederkall.

Valpo (19-5, 3-1 Horizon) will visit Ohio next weekend for the end of the regular season. The Crusaders will take on Cleveland State on Saturday at 3:00 pm ET/2:00 pm CT before heading east to Youngstown State to challenge the Penguins at 8:30 am ET/7:30 am CT on Sunday.