Courtesy: Lucia Spinazze

The Chargers women’s tennis team remains undefeated this season at 5-0 after beating Purdue University Northwest 5-2 at home Feb. 14. 

“It’s hard to play a team like we did, because they were just kind of dead,” head coach Melanie Zampardo said. “They were quiet, not always going for every ball, but they were a good team. So it’s this contradiction in your mind of, well, we have to create the energy ourselves. So we did a good job doing that.” 

Zampardo said at one point, the Chargers were down 5-1 at No. 3 doubles, but sophomores Emma Palus and Julia Zlateva came back to win 7-5.  

“It was Emma’s first championship season dual match win, so I’m happy for her that she got that, and on top of that, it was an amazing comeback,” Zampardo said. “She started playing the way that she wanted to play and felt good about that.”

Palus said keeping Purdue from winning the game point when they were down 5-1 helped her and Zlateva play more aggressively. 

“We were really proud of each other honestly, after that one game, and then that helped us be more aggressive and be more positive,” Palus said. 

At No. 1 doubles, junior Ané Dannhauser and senior Megan Hackman won 6-3. 

“I think we are all seeing our hard work from the fall pay off, and it’s very exciting to see our progress this spring,” Hackman said. “Playing doubles with Ané this season has been going super well, and I think we are both pleased with our camaraderie on the court.” 

The Chargers beat Purdue at No. 1, 2, 5, and 6  singles. Although she was recovering from sickness, sophomore Briana Rees won 6-1, 6-4 at No. 2 singles.

“We needed her to hold that spot, and she ended up winning her match,” Zampardo said. “So not only did she hold her spot and hold her ground, but she ended up getting another win for the team, which was huge.”

Palus said starting the season 5-0 shows how hard everyone on the team is working. 

“Everyone is doing their best on the court, and it’s just working,” Palus said. “Coach Mel is also amazing with supporting us. Even though we are winning, the girls are going through really tough matches.” 

The Chargers will face Ferris State University away on Feb. 21 and Davenport University away on Feb. 22. Zampardo said these matches will be the team’s toughest matches of the season so far. 

“From the fall, we’ve been saying, ‘Doing the little things the correct way every single day is gonna add up, and they’re gonna start to culminate,’” Zampardo said. “So I’m hoping for that to happen this weekend.”