Valparaiso’s women’s tennis team opened their spring break trip to California on Wednesday afternoon, defeating Biola 6-3 at the Biola Tennis Center in LaMirada, Calif. to return to the .500 mark on the season.

Playing the nine-point scoring system used by NAIA schools at their home facility, the Crusaders opened the match winning two of the three doubles contests.  Stephanie York (Elkhart, Ind./Jimtown H.S.) and Kaitlyn Hamel (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain H.S.) teamed for an 8-3 victory at number two doubles against Jessica Thong and Mariah Pace.  Michele Fredlake (South Bend, Ind./Saint Joseph’s H.S.) and Angelina Goheen (Aurora, Ill./Rosary H.S.) added an 8-1 triumph over Lauren Vogel and Angelen Cobian at the third spot.  Biola (0-14) picked up its lone doubles victory at the top spot as Kelly Thompson and Shamariah de Rojas defeated Kristin Zakiewicz (Bristol, Ind./Northridge H.S.) and Megan Barthels (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central H.S.) 8-6.

The Crusaders added four more straight sets victories in singles action.  Hamel was a 7-5, 6-4 winner over Thompson at number two while York blanked De Rojas 6-0, 6-0 at the third spot.  At fifth singles, Zakiewicz was a 6-0, 6-1 winner over Vogel while Lauren Kammerer (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso H.S.) added a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Cobian at the sixth spot.  Bartels fell in three sets at the top of the order 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 against Pace while Fredlake fell at four 6-4, 6-2 against Thong.

Valparaiso (4-4) will return to the courts on Thursday afternoon, facing Point Loma Nazarene.  First serve is slated for 4 p.m. CDT.