DENVER -

The Denver Pioneers (11-10, 5-1) fell to Valparaiso, 4-3, in the Summit League Semifinal at the Gates Tennis Center in Denver, Colo. on Friday.

The back-and-forth match saw four singles matches pushed to the third set. Valparaiso clinched the match with Daniel Langston's 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 6.

Denver dropped the doubles point with Pedro Fernandez Del Valle and Eric Morris falling 6-4 to Chad Kissell and Brandon Ancona at No. 2 and Mattia Ros and Wyatt Lovera falling 6-3 to Brian Pecyna and Daniel Langston at No. 3.

Del Valle picked up the first singles victory of the day with a 6-0, 6-2 decision at No. 2, but Valparaiso would regain its one-point lead with Garrett Gardner's 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win at No. 5. The Crusaders took a 3-1 advantage with Chad Kissell's 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 1, but the Pioneers closed the gap with Matt Summers' 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory at No. 2.

Trailing 3-2 with two courts remaining, Jesse Ruder-Hook pulled the score to 3-3 with a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) win at No. 3, but the victory was not enough to push Denver to the Summit League Championship.

ALUMNI GIVING CHALLENGE

The University of Denver is holding an alumni giving challenge for the 2017-2018 season in an effort to increase student-athlete alumni participation in the Denver Athletics Annual Fund. The sport with the highest percentage of alumni participation will receive an additional $10,000 of support through the generosity of an anonymous donor. Alumni can make a gift online, by calling 303-871-2388 during normal business hours or by sending a check to:

Athletics Development Office

Attn: Kaley Rickert

2201 E. Asbury Avenue

Denver, CO 80208

PIONEER MOVEMENT:

Interested in making a donation to the tennis program? Click Here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.

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