The Hillsdale College women's tennis team got back on a winning track in a big way on Friday, rolling past host Ursuline 7-0 to snap a four-match losing streak heading into a critical stretch in conference play.
The Chargers won all nine matches on the court in straight sets, dropping just one game combined across the entire run of play. Hillsdale swept the three doubles matches to secure the doubles point, led by Sarah Hackman and Melanie Zampardo's 6-1 win at No. 1 singles. Megan Hackman and Canela Luna teamed up at No. 2 doubles to take a 6-0 win, and Isabella Spinazze and Helana Formentin also won 6-0 at No. 3 doubles.
All six of Hillsdale's singles players won 6-0, 6-0 matches in a Chargers sweep. Hackman beat Ursuline's Payton Lewanski at No. 1 singles, Zampardo beat the Arrows' Chloe Lewanski at No. 2 singles, and Libby McGivern beat Ursuline's Sheila Poindexter at No. 3 singles.
Playing in their spots for the first time this season, Hillsdale also got three wins at 4 through 6 singles. Courtney Rittel, Hillsdale's normal No. 6 player, stepped up with a straight-sets victory over Ursuline's Gabrielle Kelson at No. 4 singles. Julia Wagner also stepped in at No. 5 singles for the Chargers with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Ursuline's Alexandra Pignatiello, and senior Tatum Matthews picked up a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Ursuline's Mika Westfall at No. 6 singles.
Hillsdale is now 4-7 overall, 1-1 in the G-MAC, and has a huge match at home this Sunday against Walsh at 11 a.m. The Cavaliers, along with the Chargers, are consistent title contenders and G-MAC Tournament participants since both joined the conference in 2017, and both teams will be looking for a victory that will help secure their spot in the 2023 G-MAC Tournament and improve their final seeding heading into the event.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan