The women’s tennis team  fell 7-0 in its first game of the  2025 spring season on Jan. 19 in a road match against NCAA Division I opponent Western Michigan University Broncos. 

“This weekend was kind of a hard match to start the season off with, considering they have already played a few matches and they are just a very strong school,” sophomore Ané Dannhauser said. “I do think that the team competed exceptionally well, and we could match their groundstrokes easily. The difference was just in a few of those last finishing shots.”

In doubles play, the Broncos secured victories at the top two positions to earn the doubles point. At No. 1 doubles, Dannhauser teamed up with junior Megan Hackman but fell 1-6 to their opponents. The No. 2  pair, senior Courtney Rittel and senior Libby McGivern, dropped their match 2-6 as well.

“The girls did such a great job on all their doubles matches, and I really enjoyed watching and cheering for them,” freshman Julia Zlateva said. 

Dannhauser led the charge at No. 1 singles, staying with Western Michigan in the first set before falling 5-7, 2-6. 

Zlateva, playing at No. 5 singles, came the closest to earning a point for the Chargers. After splitting sets with her opponent 6-4, 4-6, however, Zlateva fell in the deciding tiebreaker, 10-12.

Rittel spoke to the value of facing a strong opponent early in the season. 

“We kept it super competitive with Western Michigan, which is very encouraging as they are a strong team,” Rittel said. “The match definitely showed us what we are capable of, and we are looking forward to the next two weeks of practice to smooth some edges as we prepare for the rest of the season.”

The Chargers will continue their season on Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. when they host Michigan Technological University.

“With a few specific drill practices, we will be able to compete with the best of the best,” Dannhauser said. “In about a week or so, we will be fully back in the groove of things and ready to take on Michigan Tech.”