The Valparaiso women's tennis team dropped its Horizon League opener, 7-0, to UIC Thursday afternoon at The Courts of NWI.

The Flames were awarded the doubles point by virtue of 6-1 wins at No. 1 and No. 3. 

UIC's Melika LeBlanc defeated Michele Fredlake (South Bend, Ind./Saint Joseph's) 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6 singles to open singles play.

Keti Mebuke followed with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Kaitlyn Hamel (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) at No. 1. The Flames secured the match at No. 5 singles after Bianca Zuzu got past Megan Barthels (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central) 6-1, 6-3.

Paige Heuer (Munster, Ind./Munster) battled in her 6-2, 6-3 shortcoming at No. 4 to Ann Sophie-Hahn. Freshman Kathleen Hebble (Sellersburg, Ind./Silver Creek) lost a 6-4, 6-2 duel to Jackie Altansarnai at No. 2.

Cary Milanes (Miami, Fla./Miami Palmetto) supplied Valpo with an outstanding effort at No. 3. The freshman took Oana Manole to three sets before falling 6-3, 3-6, 11-9.

Valpo will return to the courts Saturday afternoon at Western Illinois. First serve is scheduled for 2 pm.