Foresters Battle Division I Valparaiso

Valparaiso, Ind.  – The Huntington women's tennis team hit the road Saturday afternoon for a non-conference clash against NCAA Division I opponent Valparaiso University. Despite competing hard across the lineup, the Foresters came up short in a 6-1 decision. 

Huntington's point came courtesy of Tiziana Rizzato at No. 3 singles, where she outlasted Valpo's Brynn Steven in a thrilling three-set battle. After splitting the first two sets (6-4, 4-6), Rizzato dug deep in the decisive match tiebreak, pulling through for a 10-8 victory. 

The Foresters also impressed in doubles play at the top spot. Addison Mast and Yariange Bello teamed up for a strong 7-5 win over Valparaiso's Silva and Rogers. However, the Beacons claimed victories on courts two and three to secure the doubles point and early momentum. 

In singles action, Huntington fought valiantly but couldn't crack Valpo's lineup beyond Rizzato's triumph. Mast pushed her opponent to the brink at No. 2 singles, nearly forcing a third set before falling 6-1, 7-5. Bello also battled tightly at No. 4 singles, extending her second set to a tiebreak before dropping a 6-3, 7-6 decision. 

The Foresters (1-1) return home on Tuesday to host Indiana University East at Klopfenstein Courts on the campus of Huntington University.  

The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 181 NAIA All-America honors and 631 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest.