Valparaiso University’s women’s tennis team’s bid for their first victory of the fall season fell just short on Friday evening as the Crusaders dropped a 5-4 decision to Rose-Hulman in Terre Haute, Ind.

“It was a great match,” head coach Traci Young said afterwards.  “We almost had it.  It’s only September and I already see a lot of potential in this team as well as a great deal of improvement from last year.”

Freshman Jordan Buterbaugh (Paradise Valley, Ariz./Chaparral H.S.) won her both her first collegiate doubles and singles matches on the day.  She defeated Kelsey Sackett 6-2, 6-0 at the second spot in singles while teaming with Katie Bilyeu (Terre Haute, Ind./South Vigo H.S.) for an 8-4 win over Sackett and Megan Chann at number two doubles.

Stephanie York (Elkhart, Ind./Jimtown H.S.) and Jackie O’Reilly (DePere, Wis./DePere H.S.) also picked up their first singles wins of the year.  York was a 6-3, 6-1 victor over Chann at the fourth spot while O’Reilly topped Klara Schroederus 7-6 (4), 6-1 at number five singles.

Rose-Hulman posted wins at the other three singles spots as well as first and third doubles to take the match though.  Sam Danesis and Melissa Montgomery downed O’Reilly and York 8-4 at number one doubles while Ellyn Noris and Schroederus defeated Stephanie Krebs (Idaho Falls, Idaho/Idaho Falls H.S.) and Brittany O’Reilly (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest H.S.) 8-5 at the third spot.

Danesis topped Brittany O’Reilly 6-0, 6-1 at the top of the singles order while Montgomery was a 6-4, 6-4 winner against Bilyeu at the third spot.  Norris downed Krebs 6-0, 6-0 at sixth singles.

Valparaiso will return to the courts on Wednesday afternoon when the Crusaders host Saint Joseph’s (Ind.) at 4 p.m.  This is the lone fall home match for the Brown and Gold at the Valpo Tennis Complex.