The Hillsdale College men's tennis team wrapped up a banner school year with its highest ever national ranking in the final Oracle/ITA Division II poll on May 28.
The Chargers were ranked 30th in the nation and fourth among Midwest Regional teams in the final Division II poll, following a season where the Chargers went 15-3 overall, won the G-MAC regular season and tournament title, and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
Hillsdale went undefeated in G-MAC play, winning the conference tournament in thrilling fashion in a 4-3 win over Tiffin that came down to a third-set tiebreak in the final match. The Chargers were a surprise team in 2021, breaking in four new regulars and starting a sophomore and three freshmen as every-day players in the singles and doubles lineup.
Two of those players, sophomore Tyler Conrad and freshman Brennan Cimpeanu, also finished the season ranked as singles players in the Midwest Region. Conrad was ranked 16th among Midwest Regional players in singles, and Cimpeanu was 17th.
Those two players, along with returning second-year players Sean Barstow and Daniel Gilbert, and dependable senior Brian Hackman, will give the Chargers a great core to work with entering the 2021-22 school year this fall. Given the youth of this year's team, the 2021 season might be just the beginning of a strong multi-year run for Hillsdale if the Chargers can stay healthy and continue to improve.
Photos by Jordan Menard/University of Indianapolis