Freshman Rintaro Goda led the men’s tennis team to a 4-3 victory against Goshen College Maple Leafs after securing the winning point of the match at No. 6 singles Feb. 22 in Indiana. The Chargers kept up their success on the road with a 4-3 win against the University of Illinois-Springfield Prairie StarsFeb. 23. 

On Saturday, the Chargers fell behind the Maple Leafs early in the match, losing two of three doubles matches and the doubles point. Sophomore Ellis Klanduch and freshman Ryan Papazov won the only doubles match for Hillsdale with a 6-2 victory at No. 2 doubles.

At singles play, Klanduch secured a 6-2, 6-0, victory at No.1 singles, freshman Eddie Bergelin secured a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, victory at No. 4 singles and freshman Sam Plys secured a 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, victory at No. 5 singles to tie up the match. 

Hillsdale’s chance of gaining its second win of the season rested on Goda at No. 6 singles as he was the last Charger left playing. He beat his opponent 8-6 in a tiebreaker at the third set, finishing the match with a 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 victory. 

“There was a ton of pressure especially in the tiebreaker after I wasn’t able to convert a few match points,” Goda said. “But at the end I was telling myself to be confident with my shots and whatever happens, happens.”

Head coach Keith Turner said he is impressed with Goda’s performances in tense situations. 

“The biggest thing with Rin is how well he’s handling pressure situations with very limited experience,” Turner said. “He shows no signs of nerves.” 

On Sunday, the Chargers were tough competitors on the court in both the doubles and singles play, winning the doubles point and three of six singles to trump the Prairie Stars. 

At doubles play, Bergelin and Plys secured a 7-5 victory at No. 1 doubles, and Klanduch and Papazov secured a 6-1 victory at No. 2 doubles to win Hillsdale the doubles point. 

“It felt amazing winning the doubles point, especially since this was the first doubles point we had won this season,” Plys said. “It gave the team the will to play more confident singles and find a way to keep the foot on the gas.”

The Chargers are on the road again this weekend, playing against Indiana Institute of Technology Feb. 28 and Wayne State University March 1.