After starting their season with an 8-1 victory over Walsh on Saturday, the Hillsdale College women’s tennis team pushed their winning streak to two matches with a 7-2 win over Ashland on Sunday.
Saturday’s matches started outdoors, but rain forced the teams to move to the Biermann Center’s indoor courts. Despite the inclement weather and changing courts, the team played well, head coach Nikki Walbright said.
“I think it went great. It was hard to predict what would happen, and I know the girls had some nerves, but they really rose to the challenge,” Walbright said. “Everyone competed really well. They had fun, and I just think we confirmed how strong of a team we are this year.”
It is the first time since the team’s re-institution in 2011 that the team has gone undefeated in its first two matches.
Team captain Lindsay Peirce said the atmosphere going into their match against Walsh was tense.
“They have beaten us the past three years by one point,” Peirce said. “Everybody on the courts knew just how important every single point and match was for the win. Being prepared for them put us on top.”
Several freshmen aided the team in the win. At No. 1 singles, freshman Halle Hyman made her debut by posting a 6-4, 6-2 win. Hyman then competed alongside fellow rookie Julia Formentin at No. 2 doubles for an 8-5 win.
“It was very exciting playing in my first college match,” Hyman said. “I wanted more than anything to start off my season strong, and I am extremely happy about my wins.”
Hillsdale’s veteran players also had strong showings. At No. 1 doubles, seniors Sydney Delp and Lindsay Peirce fought out a 9-8 victory, which was easily the longest of the doubles matches. At No. 3 doubles, junior Dana Grace Buck and freshman Corinne Prost posted an 8-2 win.
On Sunday the team battled with weather of a different kind. Despite temperatures reaching nearly 90 degrees, the Charger wins continued on both the singles and doubles courts.
“The heat and weather was definitely a tough factor on Sunday,” Peirce said. “But each court gave it their all and gave support during each match.”
Hyman cruised to a straight-set victory again, winning 6-3, 6-4. Then, Hyman was joined by Formentin and continued her winning streak at No. 2 doubles 8-5.
Delp and Peirce eased to an 8-1 win at No. 1 doubles, leaving them undefeated this season.
At No. 3 doubles, sisters competed for the Chargers, as junior Jada Bissett and freshman Madeline Bissett were 9-8 winners in their first official match together in their tennis careers.
Other wins of the day were picked up by Peirce at No. 3 singles, Madeline Bisset at No. 5 singles, and Formentin at No. 6 singles.
The Chargers are now preparing for another full weekend, as they face Tiffin and Findlay at home this upcoming Saturday and Sunday.
