Aidan Pack competed as the No. 2 singles player for the Chargers against GVSU last spring. Courtesy | Isabella Sheehan
The Chargers men’s tennis team faced tough losses to Edinboro University and Mercyhurst University this past weekend.
“We knew we weren’t far away, especially from Edinboro,” freshman Henry Hammond said. “And they beat one of the best teams in our area [Tiffin University]. We weren’t anywhere near our best, and we still almost beat them. I think that gives us a lot of hope.”
On Feb. 17, the Chargers played Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. Senior Sean Barstow and sophomore Aidan Pack won their doubles match. The Edinboro teams won the other two matches, though, and Hillsdale lost the point. Barstow won his singles match. Pack and freshman Ellis Klanduch played close matches against their opponents. Senior Tyler Conrad also lost to his singles opponent. The singles losses gave Edinboro a 4-1 win over the Chargers.
The following day, the Chargers played Mercyhurst University, winning the doubles point with victories from Barstow and Pack, as well as Hammond and senior Daniel Gilbert.
Hammond scored another Hillsdale win, beating his opponent 6-1, 6-4. Pack and Gilbert both took their singles matches to the third set, but came up short. Barstow, Klanduch, and Conrad also lost their singles matches.
“We played okay, but there is definitely room for improvement,” head coach Keith Turner said. “I’m happy overall with our doubles, but we haven’t played a match this year where all of our singles players have played to the best of their ability.”
Barstow gave his thoughts on the team moving forward.
“As long as we keep improving towards conference season, we’re on a good track,” Barstow said. “It’s good that we’re having a lot of close matches in the beginning here, to give us that experience so we know how to play when those moments come up later.”
The Chargers will face Lake Superior State University and Ferris State University this upcoming weekend, Feb. 24 and 25.
“We just need to win the bigger points at the right times and not let the pressure get to us,” Hammond said.
