A shutout win against Ashland University on Saturday puts the Hillsdale College women’s tennis team at 4-4 prior to conference matches.
After playing some of the toughest Division II competition in Florida, the Chargers competed at home for the first time this season and defeated the 8-14 Eagles 9-0 in the Biermann Athletics Center for the nonconference match. Hillsdale topped its performance from fall 2016, when it defeated Ashland 8-1.
“It’s nice to have that early win, and it’s nice that everyone won,” head coach Nikki Walbright said. “It was definitely a good day, and it was a dominating performance.”
Walbright said the whole team had strong performances on Saturday. Junior Julia Formentin recorded her most overwhelming win of her college career, defeating Ashland junior Chelsea Myers at No. 6 singles 6-0, 6-0.
“The match was more difficult than the score reflected, so being able to do that and having such a big win boosted my confidence heading into conference matches,” Formentin said.
In doubles, the Chargers took an early lead against the Eagles. At No. 2, freshman Hannah Cimpeanu and junior Halle Hyman joined for a shutout 8-0 victory against junior Natalie Keron and freshman Hazuki Ogino. Hillsdale junior Madeline Bissett and sophomore Kamryn Matthews defeated senior Elizabeth Kidd and Myers 8-1 at No. 3.
Sophomore Katie Bell and junior Corinne Prost faced slightly more competition on the court, but still overcame their freshmen opponents 8-4 at No. 1 doubles.
“We were coming off of playing some of the best teams in the country in Florida and adjusting back to indoor courts and to different styles and levels of play is always challenging,” Bissett said. “Ashland is a very gritty team and not always the easiest to play, so I was very proud of our entire lineup. Sweeping doubles always helps to set the tone for the match and gives us confidence going into singles.”
The victories kept coming, as the Chargers stayed energetic throughout the afternoon, Walbright said.
Formentin agreed: “I was the last match being played, but the whole team was right next to me, supporting me and cheering for me, which helped a lot and definitely contributed to my success.”
At No. 5 singles, Bissett continued her string of strong performances, winning 6-1, 6-0, while her doubles partner Matthews followed closely behind at No. 4 singles, winning 6-1, 6-1.
“Having two seasons under my belt has taught me a lot,” Bissett said. “I love to dig my heels in and compete. Our team always jokes that I’m always the last one on court and have the longest matches, but it usually does end up happening like that. My matches are always a grind, whether I’m winning or losing. Even if I’m down by a set or several games, I will stay out there as long as I can and fight for it.”
Bell defeated freshman Camille Ragnot 6-0, 6-3 at No. 1 singles. Hyman and Prost found victory in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots respectively with matching scores of 6-1, 6-2.
Hillsdale is scheduled to face Detroit-based former GLIAC rival Wayne State University at 4 p.m. on Friday at home. WSU is 14-5 this season.
“It’ll be one of the hardest matches we play this spring,” Walbright said. “We need a lot of confidence going in.”
On Sunday, women’s tennis returns to conference play for the first time since fall 2016 and for the first time in the G-MAC. It faces Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio.
Walbright said she wants to see the team enter G-MAC matches with confidence and play its own game without overthinking it.
To say the least, the Chargers, whom G-MAC coaches ranked No. 1 in the conference, said they are anxious to start.
“We have been talking about this day for months now,” Bissett said, “so to finally be able to get out there and leave our first impression on the new conference is really exciting.”