The Valparaiso University tennis team boasted victories at the No. 5 and No. 6 singles spots, but visiting Illinois State earned a 5-2 victory over the host Beacons in a match that took place outdoors at the Valpo Tennis Complex on Saturday afternoon. Mia Bertino (Lockport, Ill. / Joliet Catholic) and Eleanor Chapman (East Sussex, England / Eastbourne College [UT Martin / Lipscomb]) both picked up wins in their singles matches against the Redbirds, who remained undefeated in Missouri Valley Conference play by improving to 7-0.

How It Happened

• Illinois State started the match by winning on all three doubles courts.
• An injury led to Illinois State winning by default at No. 1 singles.
• Bertino played a strong match at No. 5 singles, taking the first set 6-4 from Elena Jankulovska and leading the second set 3-2 when Jankulovska had to retire to give Bertino the triumph.
• The other Beacon victory came at No. 6, where Chapman prevailed in a pair of tight sets, 6-4, 7-6(2).
• The Redbirds picked up wins at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4.

Inside the Match

• Bertino picked up her 16^th win of the season and the 37^th of her collegiate career.
• Chapman grabbed her fifth singles win of the season since joining Valpo as a midyear transfer.
• Valpo has played 11 matches this spring decided by either a 4-3 or 5-2 score out of their 16 total matches, attesting to the closeness of the dual matches this year.  

Up Next

The Beacons (11-8, 1-6) will host senior day on Saturday, April 15. The match will be outdoors at the Valpo Tennis Complex if weather cooperates, or if not, will be held indoors at The Courts of NWI. Valpo will recognize five seniors – Demi Jhaveri, Amanda Tabanera, Eleanor Chapman, Allison McConnell and Olivia Czerwonka.