A big weekend moved the Hillsdale College men's tennis team one step closer to a potential G-MAC title and the program's first NCAA Division II tournament berth since restarting in 2015.
Sophomore Tyler Conrad has played a critical role in getting the Chargers to this point, and his excellent performance in two key matches has earned him G-MAC Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week for the week of April 5-11, the conference office announced on Wednesday.
It's the second Athlete of the Week honor this season for Conrad and the third of his career. The Midland, Michigan native has been on a tear to start G-MAC play, going 3-0 at No. 1 singles against conference competition and 3-0 at No. 1 doubles with partner Sean Barstow as well.
The sophomore pulled out two critical wins at No. 1 singles against more experienced opponents this week, taking down Findlay senior Jorge Barnuevo 6-4, 6-2 in a 4-0 Charger victory over the Oilers, and rallying to beat Tiffin senior Nair Adi 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in a 4-1 win over the Dragons.
Conrad is 9-4 at No. 1 singles and 8-5 with Barstow at No. 1 doubles this season, and has won his last four matches at No. 1 singles for the Chargers entering Hillsdale's final weekend of the regular season.
The Chargers travel to Cedarville on Thursday for a conference match before playing fellow G-MAC unbeaten Walsh on Sunday with the top seed in the upcoming G-MAC tournament on the line.