Women’s Tennis Starts Spring Season with Victory

Women’s Tennis Starts Spring Season with Victory

After a strong fall season, the Valparaiso University women’s tennis program kept the positive momentum going in Saturday’s spring opener in Indianapolis. The dual match season commenced with a 6-1 Valpo victory over host IUPUI at the West Indy Racquet Club, putting the first spring slate under head coach Bob Modesto off to a winning start.

How It Happened

  • The second and third slots in the Valpo doubles lineup came through to secure the doubles point. Olivia Czerwonka (Kenosha, Wis. / Saint Joseph Catholic Academy) and Demi Jhaveri (Westlake, Ohio / Westlake) started their spring with a 6-2 triumph over Sarah Lounsbury and Samantha Hayward.
  • Dao Sysouvanh (Sun Prairie, Wis. / Sun Prairie) and Amanda Tabanera (Valencia, Calif. / Valencia) clinched the doubles point for the team by besting Diya Matta and Marta Krakowski 6-4 at No. 3. The Jaguars (0-2) took the No. 1 doubles match.
  • Jhaveri made quick work of her opponent in her fifth singles match, downing Krakowski 6-1, 6-0 in the first singles match to finish.
  • Claire Czerwonka (Kenosha, Wis. / Saint Joseph Catholic Academy) started her spring singles slate in style by dispatching Gabrielle Ochalik 6-3, 6-2 at the top spot.
  • Krystal Grubb kept her team alive with a 7-6(3), 6-3 win over Olivia at No. 2 singles, but Valpo won on the remaining singles courts. The clincher came at No. 6, where Sysouvanh topped Ines Rivera 6-4, 6-3.
  • Isabella Schoolcraft (Bargersville, Ind. / Center Grove) began her sophomore spring with a 6-3, 6-2 sweep of Hayward at No. 4, while Tabanera took home a three-set win, coming from behind to beat Lounsbury 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.

Inside the Match

  • Valpo improved to 11-14 all-time against IUPUI, flipping the script on a 7-0 home loss to the Jaguars on Jan. 27 of last season by going on the road and earning the 6-1 victory.
  • Claire Czerwonka’s triumph at the top singles spot also provided the sweet taste of revenge, as she fell 6-3, 6-4 to Ochalik in a No. 1 singles matchup a year ago.
  • Claire obtained her 10th singles win of the season, already securing her third straight season of 10 victories or more. It was her 35th career triumph, allowing her to climb to within three of cracking the program’s all-time Top 10.
  • Jhaveri and Tabanera continue to share the team lead with Czerwonka for singles victories, as both rookies also entered double figures on Saturday.
  • Schoolcraft grabbed her sixth triumph of the season, while Sysouvanh picked up her eighth. Schoolcraft is up to 13 career victories as a sophomore, while the senior Sysouvanh stands at 28.
  • In doubles, Olivia and Jhaveri improved to 7-4 as a pair, while Tabanera and Sysouvanh upped their mark 6-4.

Up Next

Valpo will face a quick turnaround, remaining in the state capital for Sunday’s showdown with Butler. The match will begin at 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET in the Butler Bubble.