On a day where the top flights had a tough go of it for the Hillsdale College men's tennis team, it was the players in the middle and lower flights that stepped up and led the team to a key regional win over Ashland Saturday afternoon.
Despite losing the doubles point and the top two singles flights, the Chargers knocked off Ashland University 4-3 at the Margot V. Biermann Athletic Center, to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Two players who were in tune were Michael Szabo and Brian Hackman. They teamed up for a 6-2 win together at No. 2 doubles, although the Chargers ultimately lost the doubles point to Ashland. Individually, they picked up key singles wins that helped Hillsdale sweep the Nos. 3-6 singles matches, enough for the team victory.
Szabo was a 6-4, 6-4 winner at No. 3 singles while Hackman cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win. Julien Clouette enjoyed the most one-sided victory of the day, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6 singles. Tyler Conrad stepped up with a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 5 singles to finish off the win for Hillsdale.
PHOTO: Brad Monastiere