The Hillsdale College men's tennis team got two big victories on the road on Saturday.
The Chargers downed host Northwood 6-1 to hand the Timberwolves their first G-MAC loss while remaining unbeaten in conference play themselves on Saturday, while also watching senior Tyler Conrad write his name into Hillsdale's history books.
Conrad recorded his 122nd and 123rd wins of his career in the victory over Northwood, moving past former teammate Charlie Adams to become the winningest Hillsdale College men's tennis player of all time. It's a milestone accomplishment for Conrad, who has been a key part of Hillsdale's lineup across five seasons including the partial Covid year in 2020. The senior has been All-G-MAC three times in his career along with helping the Chargers win the 2021 G-MAC title, and now stands alone with a milestone accomplishment.
The senior partnered with freshman Ellis Klanduch for a 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles, officially breaking the record and also giving Hillsdale a victory in the doubles portion despite Northwood capturing the doubles point. Trailing 1-0, Hillsdale rallied to stun the Timberwolves in singles play, capturing all six matches in straight sets to roll to an important conference victory.
Conrad won a 7-4 first-set tiebreak at No. 2 singles to defeat Northwood's Alessandro Parigi 7-6, 6-4, while sophomore and teammate Aidan Pack rolled to a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 1 singles over Northwood's Max Wild.
Senior Sean Barstow also dominated in a 6-4, 6-0 win at No. 3 singles over Northwood's Kuzma Zubrii, and Klanduch clinched the match for the Chargers with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 win over the Timberwolves' Leon Grassnickel.
Freshman Henry Hammond took a 6-4, 6-2 win over Northwood's Alex Lowell at No. 5 singles, and senior Daniel Gilbert picked up a 6-0, 6-2 win over Northwood's Thomas Ladwein at No. 6 singles as well to finish up the match.
The Chargers are now 10-6 overall and 5-0 in G-MAC play, and will return home next weekend for a huge showdown with the other two undefeated programs in the conference, Findlay on Friday and defending G-MAC champion Tiffin on Saturday. Hillsdale will be the underdog in both matches but have a chance to stake their claim to the G-MAC regular season crown if it can pull upsets on its home court.
Photo by Reva Ludwig