The Charger women's tennis team powered past Purdue-Northwest Sunday afternoon 7-0 to remain undefeated on the regular season.
Hillsdale, now 5-0 on the season, adjusted its lineup a bit in this match against the Pride, and all the players stepped up with marvelous performances.
The win was a nice present for head coach Nikki Walbright, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday by watching her team continue its best start since the program returned in 2011.
No. 3 doubles duo Sophie Spinazze and Julia Formentin came out hot to win a quick 6-1 match, followed by the No. 2 doubles team Madeline Bissett and Kamryn Matthews, winning 6-1 as well, clenching the doubles point. No. 1 doubles pair Katie Bell and Halle Hyman took the third and final win of the doubles round winning 6-1.
Starting off with the first singles win of the day was No. 4 singles player Corinne Prost, topping her opponent 6-0, 6-0 as she played with a near perfect game plan. No. 3 singles player Matthews was not far behind her with a 6-0, 6-0 as well. Giving Hillsdale its fourth point and clenching the match was No. 1 singles player Sarah Hackman, who after pulling out a long and tough first set 7-5, dominated the game in the second set to win 6-0. Hyman at No. 2 singles also out up a fight in the first set as her opponents game style closely matched hers, but was able to overcome that obstacle through mental toughness and being smart with her game to win 6-2, 7-5.
The last two courts were quickly swayed towards the Chargers favor as Spinazze at No. 6 singles showed her confidence in her second dual match appearance to top her opponent 6-0, 6-0. Giving Hillsdale its final win of the day and a 7-0 win was Bisset at the No. 5 singles position, downing her opponent 6-1, 6-1.
Hillsdale is now 5-0 and the next match they will play will be in Florida for spring break, first against Lynn University on March 11.
WORDS: Megan Miller
PHOTO: Megan Miller