Crusaders Drop Second Straight 4-3 Decision in Florida
The Blackbirds opened winning the doubles point in closely contested matches. Long Island (2-3) won at both first and third doubles to take the point, but needed a tie-break, 9-8 (6) to clinch the win at number three. Valpo's Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./North H.S.) and Jenny Schwartz (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora H.S.) notched Valpo's doubles win at the second spot 8-4.
In singles action, Rachel Janssen (Fort Wayne, Ind./Dwenger H.S.) tied the contest at one with her 6-3, 6-0 win at the top of the line-up. For the senior, it was her second straight victory in Florida. Long Island pushed the advantage to 3-1 with wins at second and third singles.
The Crusaders staved off defeat for awhile as Molly Keifer (Richmond, Ind./Richmond H.S.) posted a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-4, 10-8 win at sixth singles while Schwartz tied the contest at three winning 6-4, 7-5 at the fifth spot.
In the final match of the day, Liliana Cortes posted a 6-4, 7-6 (6) win for the Blackbirds over Whitney Chada (Downers Grove, Ill./North H.S.).
Valparaiso (4-6) will look to return to winning ways on Tuesday as the Crusaders take on Manhattan in Orlando. First serve is set for 11:30 a.m. CDT. In addition, the Crusaders have added a match for Thursday before their contest at Florida Gulf Coast. Valpo will face Fairleigh Dickinson beginning at 8 a.m. in Fort Myers, Fla.
