The Hillsdale College women's tennis team used an undefeated weekend to get back on track, led by strong play from one of its senior leaders.
Sarah Hackman went a perfect 4-0 for the Chargers in two critical victories, and her play earned her G-MAC recognition, as the conference office announced she had been named the Women's Tennis Player of the Week on Monday afternoon. It's Hackman's second honor in three weeks and the ninth of her career with the Chargers.
Hackman picked up wins at both No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles in a 4-3 victory over visiting Walsh on Sunday, with both of her victories proving pivotal in the outcome of a must-win match for the Chargers. Hackman bested Walsh's Ritsuko Umekuni at No. 1 singles and also teamed with Melanie Zampardo for a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles as well for Hillsdale.
The senior also was undefeated against Ursuline in a 7-0 victory on Friday, not dropping a game in a 6-0, 6-0 victory over the Arrows' Payton Lewanski and picking up a 6-1 win with Zampardo at No. 1 doubles as well.
Hackman has been a dependable part of the lineup for Hillsdale throughout this season and her career. For the last two years especially, the senior has been taking on the toughest opponents and challenges on a match-to-match basis as Hillsdale's No. 1 player in both singles and doubles. Along with being named the 2022 G-MAC Player of the Year, Hackman has received All-G-MAC honors three times, including first-team honors twice. The only year Hackman failed to receive recognition from the G-MAC was 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic cut the spring season short and no awards were handed out.
The senior will look to help Hillsdale stay in the conference mix with a road match against Kentucky Wesleyan on tap for Saturday next.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan