The Hillsdale College women's tennis team put up a tough fight against G-MAC unbeaten Findlay in a home match on Friday, but ultimately couldn't keep the Oilers from taking the match in a 4-0 defeat.
It was a tough task from the start for the Chargers against the defending G-MAC Tournament champions, but Hillsdale didn't make it easy for Findlay, starting with a competitive doubles portion. Findlay ultimately claimed the point, but two of the three matches were decided by narrow 7-5 margins and Hillsdale claimed victory in one of them, at No. 3 doubles, as senior Helana Formentin and junior Libby McGivern gutted out a close victory.
Findlay was able to win the first three singles matches to finish, at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 singles, to complete the sweep. Despite not scoring a point, Hillsdale was leading in all three unfinished singles flights, as McGivern had a 5-3 lead in the third set against Findlay's Emily Hadler at No. 3 singles, and both No. 5 singles player Courtney Rittel and No. 6 singles player Isabella Spinazze had narrow leads early in the first set of both of their matches for the Chargers.
Hillsdale's Formentin also put up a strong fight at No. 4 singles, winning the first set against Findlay's Lidia Laskova 7-5 before falling 6-2, 6-1 in the final two sets.
The Chargers are now 7-11 overall, 4-2 in G-MAC play and have another tough test tomorrow at home for Senior Day against 19-1 Tiffin, currently ranked 24th in the nation at the NCAA DII level. That match will be played outdoors on the Delp Tennis Courts. It's also the final home match for Hillsdale in 2024, and Hillsdale will honor graduating seniors Melanie Zampardo, Helana Formentin and Julia Wagner as a part of the match.
Photo by Anthony Lupi