On a pleasant Labor Day weekend Sunday morning at the Valpo Tennis Complex, the sun wasn’t the only thing that shined brightly. The Valparaiso University tennis team started its season on a winning note, downing Holy Cross (Ind.) 7-0 in the first of four home dual matches this fall.

How It Happened

• Valpo captured the doubles point by sweeping all three courts, starting with a 6-1 victory by Sydney Stone (Brisbane, Australia / Tyler JC) and Elizabeth Sobieski (Muskego, Wis. / Muskego) at No. 2 that was the first pair to finish. Holy Cross had an early hold to make it 1-1 before Valpo wrapped off the final five games of the match.
• The top doubles tandem of Moira Silva (Houston, Texas / Houston Tennis Academy) and Olivia Czerwonka (Kenosha, Wis. / Saint Joseph Catholic Academy) clinched the doubles point with a 6-2 victory. The Beacons captured the first five games en route to the lopsided victory.
• The final doubles match to reach its conclusion came at No. 3, where Lillian Kelly (Fullerton, Calif. / Fullerton Union) and Jolene Fernandes (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) won the final three games to turn a 3-3 deadlock into a 6-3 victory in their Valpo debuts.
• Czerwonka and Silva also cruised to wins in their singles matches. They dropped just two games apiece with Czerwonka winning 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 as the first singles player to finish and Silva prevailing at No. 1 shortly thereafter by 6-2, 6-0 scores.
• At No. 3 singles, Mia Bertino (Lockport, Ill. / Joliet Catholic) also dropped only two total games en route to a 6-2, 6-0 victory. That clinched the team win by making the score 4-0.
• While returning players took care of business in the top half of the singles lineup to lock up the team victory, several newcomers enjoyed successful Valpo debuts on Sunday. The first member of the back half of the lineup to finish was Stone, who won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4. Fernandes was off the court next, winning 6-2, 6-3 in her first match as a Beacon.
• The final match to finish came at No. 5, where Sobieski started her sophomore season with a 6-4, 6-3 success.

Inside the Match

• Czerwonka picked up her 64^th career singles win, moving to within one win of tying and two of breaking the career program record of 65 that was set by Kate Evangelist from 2003-2007.
• Czerwonka upped her career doubles win total to 63, second in program history behind her sister Claire (72).
• Bertino picked up her 39^th career singles win.

Up Next

The Beacons (1-0) will remain home on Monday, Sept. 11 at 3 p.m. when they host Huntington at the Valpo Tennis Complex.