Des Moines, Iowa – The Drake University women's tennis team closed out its home schedule with a convincing 5-2 win over Valparaiso Saturday afternoon at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.
 
The win improves the Bulldogs to 2-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference heading into the final week of league play.
 
Drake won every match contested with the Crusaders' two lone points coming via forfeits.
 
The Bulldogs easily won the doubles point with a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles and a 6-2 victory at No. 2 doubles.
 
The team also ran through the singles lineup with straight-set wins at Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 singles. Daria Walczak's 6-4, 6-0 win at No. 3 singles was the clinching match for the Bulldogs after Carmen Palumbo and Liza Petushkova opened singles play by winning their matches.
 
The Bulldogs close the regular season next weekend with matches at Bradley and Illinois State.
 
 
Drake 5, Valparaiso 2
4/13/2019 at Des Moines, Iowa (Roger Knapp Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. Liza Petushkova (DU) def. Czerwonka, Claire (VALPO) 6-2, 6-1
2. Carmen Palumbo (DU) def. Modesto, Meg (VALPO) 6-0, 6-1
3. Daria Walczak (DU) def. Sysouvanh, Dao (VALPO) 6-4, 6-0
4. Sophia Haleas (DU) def. Schoolcraft, I. (VALPO) 6-3, 6-4
5. Wind, Randi (VALPO) def. Kenya Williams (DU), by forfeit
6. Kopfer, Jordan (VALPO) def. No player (DU), by forfeit
 
Doubles competition
1. Daria Walczak/Carmen Palumbo (DU) def. Czerwonka, Claire/Sysouvanh, Dao (VALPO) 6-1
2. Liza Petushkova/Kenya Williams (DU) def. Modesto, Meg/Schoolcraft, I. (VALPO) 6-2
3. Kopfer, Jordan/Wind, Randi (VALPO) def. Sophia Haleas/No player (DU), by forfeit
 
Match Notes
Valparaiso 3-14 (0-3)
Drake 8-13 (2-1)
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (5,6,2,1,3,4)