The Hillsdale College men's tennis team kicked off its 2023 spring schedule this weekend with two resounding victories, and senior Brian Hackman had a big part to play.
The veteran went undefeated in four matches this weekend, and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference office has taken notice, naming him the G-MAC Men's Tennis Player of the Week on Monday afternoon. It's Brian's first weekly conference honor this season and the third of his career.
Hackman had a sensational performance in both of Hillsdale's victories, teaming with doubles partner Nik Wastcoat for a 6-1 victory at No. 2 doubles over Cornerstone on Saturday, and also pulling out a 6-4 victory over Davenport's No. 2 doubles team on Sunday.
The senior also impressed in singles play, stepping in at No. 2 singles for just the second time in his career at Cornerstone and pulling out a thrilling match, 4-6, 6-3, 12-10 with a marathon victory in the third set tiebreak. He was dominant on Sunday at No. 3 singles against Davenport, rolling to a 6-4, 6-0 victory that cemented an undefeated weekend.
Hackman's strong start to the 2023 spring season is especially impressive considering he's coming off a serious injury that cost him almost all of the 2021-22 season. While Hackman had played this past fall for Hillsdale, he'd only participated in doubles matches, making Saturday his first singles match in competition in well over a year.
Although he had a long layoff, it's not surprising to see Hackman get right back to winning ways this season. He's been an important contributor for the Chargers since arriving as a freshman in 2018-19, going 7-1 in singles matches in the partial 2019-20 season and earning first-team All-G-MAC honors after an impressive 2020-21 campaign. There's no doubt his play will be critical for the Chargers as it looks to return to the top of the G-MAC after falling short of a repeat title in an injury-plagued 2021-22 season, and his strong start bodes well for the Chargers' chances.
Hackman and Hillsdale will be back in action this weekend with critical regional contests at home against Ferris State on Friday, and Lewis on Saturday in the Biermann Athletic Center.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan