The Hillsdale College men’s tennis team went 1-1 this weekend, with a healthy roster on Sunday for the first time since February 6th.
Sophomore Brennan Cimpeanu made his return after an ankle injury, playing doubles on Saturday and both singles and doubles on Sunday. Cimpeanu won G-MAC Player of the Week for the third time of this season, and the fourth of his career.
On Saturday, the Chargers fell 7-0 to Wayne State University, defaulting at No. 6 singles. Cimpeanu played No. 2 doubles with sophomore Daniel Gilbert, falling 6-3.
“Surprisingly we didn’t get much play time together,” Cimpeanu said. “We only started playing doubles on Wednesday when I got back into practicing from my injury. It was definitely an adjustment since we both have different games but I think our chemistry as good friends off the court really helped us to connect fast on the court for doubles.”
Head Coach Keith Turner said Cimpeanu looked better than expected on Saturday and he felt Cimpeanu would be okay to play both singles and doubles on Sunday.
On Sunday, the Chargers broke their three-match losing streak by beating Northwood University 4-3.
Cimpeanu took on Leon Grundstrom at the No. 1 singles spot, winning 6-2, 6-3.
“I was definitely nervous coming in, I didn’t know what to expect,” Cimpeanu said. “I didn’t play much prior to the match because of the injury so I was just going in with lower expectations. I thought I had a lot of rust but to be completely honest, that had to be some of the best tennis I played this year.”
Junior Tyler Conrad and sophomore Sean Barstow took on No. 1 doubles, winning 6-4.
“Sean and I are getting back into a rhythm again,” Conrad said. “Last year we played the entire season at No. 1 doubles with a strong record. We’ve had a bit of a gap in that last semester and the start of this one. We also know that last year we had a lot of success later in the season, and have confidence in carrying that on.”
Conrad also won his singles match at No. 2 singles, 6-3, 6-1.
Cimpeanu and Gilbert played at No. 2 doubles again, winning 6-3.
“The top 2 doubles teams will be determined on a match by match basis,” Turner said. “It’s nice that we have a couple different options there.”
Junior Bogdan Janicijevic and sophomore Sam Clyde lost No. 3 doubles 6-1.
At No. 4 singles, Gilbert fell 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, Janicijevic lost 6-1, 7-5 at No. 5 singles, and Clyde lost 6-3, 6-0.
Barstow won at No. 3 singles 6-3, 5-7, 6-0 to give the Chargers the 4-3 victory.
The Chargers now play against Lake Superior State University at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5 at home.
“It’s extremely important to do well in the next match,” Conrad said. “This is the last regional match before conference play and it’s the most realistic team compared to what we’ll be playing the rest of the season. Over the next couple weeks it’s important that everyone plays confidently in matches, and that the top portion of the lineup shows up in every match.”
Over spring break, Hillsdale will travel to Florida before beginning their conference schedule.
“Health is still our biggest concern,” Turner said. “We’re down to five scholarship players and two walk-ons. The win Sunday should help our mentality as it’s been a very rough few weeks for multiple reasons. Everyone on the team is going to have to step up and continue to improve if we have a chance at repeating as G-MAC champions.”
