October 5, 2012 - The Hillsdale College tennis team has now exceeded its win total from its first revival season in 2011. But don't think the players on this team are content with that.
Overcoming rain, a change of venues and a talented opponent, the Chargers won for the fourth time in their last five matches Friday, topping Michigan Tech University 6-3. Hillsdale is now 4-4 on the season, continuing its rise through the conference standings.
Thanks to dominating efforts in singles and doubles by sophomore Morgan Delp and freshman Sydney Delp, the Chargers took a 4-3 lead over the Huskies when a steady rain started to fall on the chilly Friday afternoon at Hillsdale's outdoor courts. Only two matches had not been completed - No. 1 and 4 singles - and the weather forced those four players to move to an indoor facility in Toledo to complete their matches.
Senior Brittany Parks had the most inspirational effort of the day, coming back to win a second set tiebreaker 7-6 (4) after losing the first set 6-4. Her play got stronger as the match went along, and the move to Toledo did nothing to stop her positive momentum, as she finished off the victory with a 6-3 triumph in the third set.
Freshman Lindsay Peirce also had to finish her match indoors, but hers was considerably less dramatic, winning 6-3 6-2.
Sydney Delp has been on a tear lately, and she buzzed through her opponent in singles, 6-1, 6-0, and teamed up with Peirce for an 8-0 shutout at No. 2 singles. Delp has won eight straight singles and doubles matches, dating back to last week.
Morgan Delp had little trouble at No. 2 singles, winning 6-1, 6-0, and continued her dominant play with Parks at No. 1 doubles with an 8-3 win.
The Chargers were 3-11 in dual matches in 2011, but Saturday, have a chance to climb over .500 for the first time ever.