In its final match before its spring break Florida trip, the Hillsdale College women's tennis team got a critical victory against a solid Lake Superior St. team at home on Saturday.
The 4-3 victory gets the Chargers back to .500 and snaps a three-match losing streak with the start of G-MAC play looming in just two weeks.
Key to Hillsdale's victory was a strong performance in the doubles. The Chargers took victories in all three doubles matches to secure the doubles point, a victory that turned out to be the deciding factor in an otherwise even match. The Chargers' No. 1 doubles team of Sarah Hackman and Melanie Zampardo led the way with a 6-2 victory, Hillsdale's No. 2 doubles team of Canela Luna and Sophia Spinazze picked up a 6-3 win, and the Chargers' No. 3 doubles team of Libby McGivern and Ellie Chawner won a 6-4 match.
In singles play, the Chargers' top two flights helped secure the victory with dominant victories in their matches. Hackman rolled to a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 1 singles over Lake Superior St.'s Nadege Koua, while McGivern also won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, over the Lakers' Muskaan Ranjan at No. 2 singles.
Hillsdale's No. 5 singles player, Sophia Spinazze, clinched a tight match with a 6-0, 7-6 (2) win at No. 5 singles over Lake St.'s Keegan Malpass, giving the Chargers the fourth point they needed to secure the win.
The Chargers, now 4-4, have a week off before heading to Florida for three matches against elite competition. The Chargers play Lynn, ranked 10th in DII by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, on March 14, Nova Southeastern, ranked 4th by the ITA, on March 16, and another strong team in Palm Beach Atlantic on March 17. After that, the Chargers will open G-MAC play with a critical match against Ashland two Saturdays from today, March 19, at home.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan