The Valparaiso University tennis team started the season on a winning note, downing DePauw 7-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Valpo Tennis Complex. The Beacons swept all six singles courts and all three doubles courts.                                                                                     

How It Happened

• Valpo debuted a new No. 1 doubles team as freshman Naomi Lalonde (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) and junior Moira Silva (Houston, Texas / Houston Tennis Academy) teamed up for a 6-1 win over Ellen Gardner and Kassie Green at the top spot.
• In fact, all three of Valpo’s doubles tandems were playing together in a match situation for the first time, but the results indicated a smooth transition. Junior Sydney Stone (Brisbane, Australia / Tyler JC) teamed up with freshman Lacey Tanner (Fort Pierce, Fla. / Florida Virtual School) for a 6-1 victory over Valerie Doherty and Allie Stamm at No. 2. The No. 3 doubles match was the closest of the three, with sophomore Jolene Fernandes (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) and freshman Brynn Steven (Wichita, Kan. / Bishop Carroll) beating DePauw’s Katie King and Briah O’Neal 6-3.
• Fernandes nearly recorded a double bagel in her singles match against Doherty at No. 4, dropping just one game in a 6-0, 6-1 sweep. Silva was the second to finish, dropping just two games en route to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Green at No. 1.
• The Beacons clinched the team win thanks to Steven, who also lost only two games in a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Stamm at No. 5.
• Valpo tacked on a win at No. 3 as Stone got the better of King 6-1, 6-3. Lalonde earned the No. 2 position in the lineup in her collegiate debut and beat Gardner 6-1, 6-3, while Tanner topped O’Neal 7-5, 6-2 in the last match to finish at No. 6.

Inside the Match

• Valpo debuted a new-look lineup as half of the players participating in the match for the Brown & Gold were freshmen making their collegiate debuts.
• Silva picked up her 34^th career singles win and 33^rd career doubles win. She defeated Green, who was an all-conference second team choice and the conference’s Newcomer of the Year last season.
• Lalonde’s win came over Gardner, who was an all-conference second team performer last season for the Tigers.
• Silva and Lalonde defeated the Gardner/Green doubles team that was all-conference second team last season.

Up Next

Valpo (1-0) will host IU Kokomo on Friday, Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. at the Valpo Tennis Complex.