The Hillsdale College women's tennis team had a fantastic start to the weekend on the road with a win over Tiffin University 4-3 Saturday afternoon in Ohio. The win makes the Chargers 12-2 overall and 5-0 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
The windy weather was definitely an obstacle for both teams starting off the doubles, but the Chargers took the doubles point with ease. No. 1 doubles Halle Hyman and Katie Bell sailed to a victory, winning 6-2. The No. 2 doubles team Hannah Cimpeanu and Sarah Hackman won 6-3. No. 3 doubles team Madeline Bissett and Kamryn Matthews topped off the sweep with a 6-4 win.
The wind starting picking up for singles and the players on both sides struggled to get in to a rhythm for the beginning games of the first set on all courts. Showing no weakness however and cruising to a quick victory to give Hillsdale its second team point was No. 1 singles player Cimpeanu, winning 6-1, 6-3.
However, after two tough losses at No. 3 and No. 4 singles, the score was quickly tied at 2-2. Although No. 2 singles player Hackman battled hard saving multiple game points during both sets and 3 match points, she came up just short. Down on the No. 5 singles court, Matthews had a battle of her own. She had no issue cruising to a victory in the first set winning 6-2, but her opponent switched her game style and was steady in the second to win 6-4, sending the match to a third set. Showing her true grit, Matthews quickly pulled ahead in the third 3-0 and within a blink of an eye she took the third 6-0, meaning the overall match score was now tied at 3-3 and would come down to the No. 6 singles player Corinne Prost.
Being the only player on court and having all eyes on you can be very daunting and can affect players confidence levels. However, Prost played right through all of that and managed to stay extremely positive and vocal, with her team along side her on the next court cheering her on. She took the win and the overall 4-3 win for the Chargers 6-2, 6-4.
The Chargers are back at it again on the road tomorrow against Findlay at 9:00am.
PHOTO: Todd Lancaster
WORDS: Megan Miller