It was the toughest test the Hillsdale College women's tennis team has faced this season.
But, despite the obstacles, the Chargers were up to the task in a match in the Park Forest Tennis and Health Club in Park Forest, Illinois, beating host Purdue Northwest 4-3 to improve to 3-0 overall in the spring 2021 season.
Once again, Hillsdale started the match with a strong showing in doubles, securing what would end up being a critical point. Junior Sarah Hackman and senior Hannah Cimpeanu won 6-1 at No. 1 doubles for Hillsdale, and junior Sophia Spinazze and sophomore Canela Luna won a 6-2 match at No. 2 doubles as well.
In singles play, the Chargers gutted out critical wins to secure the victory. Playing in just the fourth match of her career at No. 1 singles, Hackman dispatched a strong opponent in Purdue Northwest's Sienna Lopez in a 6-4, 6-4 victory and Luna picked a big win at No. 2 singles as well, beating the Pride's Lena Van Bergen 6-2, 6-1.
At No. 5 singles, sophomore Ellie Chawner clinched the match for Hillsdale in a hard-fought, three set victory over Carolina Yepez, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
While she came up short in the end, Charger freshman Helana Formentin also had an exciting and close match at No. 4 singles, falling to Purdue Northwest's Nicole Uzcategui in a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 defeat.
It's been a strong start for Hillsdale in 2021, but the Chargers will put their undefeated record to an even bigger test at noon on Sunday, Feb. 28 for its next match, taking on a tough GLIAC program in Ferris State at home.
Photo by Summer Fields