The Hillsdale College men’s tennis team lost to undefeated teams Davenport University and Ferris State University this weekend.
The Chargers were hobbled with sophomore Brennan Cimpeanu still out with an ankle injury, and two freshmen who are no longer on the team. These holes in the lineup forced the Chargers to default on No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles in both matches.
Against Davenport, junior Tyler Conrad and sophomore Sean Barstow battled against the nationally-ranked doubles team of Juan-Louis van Antwerpen and Jonathan Bulmer in a 7-5 loss.
“Brennan and I had played them twice in the fall and lost two close matches,” Barstow said. “They are very good at getting to the net and finishing points there. If a few points went our way Tyler and I could have taken that match so I know that we can compete with anyone in doubles.”
Junior Bogdan Janicijevic and sophomore Daniel Gilbert lost 6-3 at No. 2 doubles, while the No. 3 doubles match was defaulted.
Barstow lost 6-1, 6-3 at No. 1 singles against van Antwerpen, while Conrad lost 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2 singles.
“It’s been a new experience playing No. 1 singles this year coming from mostly playing No. 4 singles last year,” Barstow said. “The quality of players is obviously much higher and I need to be playing well to compete at the No. 1 position. I think that the biggest adjustment for me is to stay within myself and believe I can compete at this level.”
Conrad, who played No. 1 singles last year, said he has been giving advice to Barstow on the style of the opponents.
“It’s a different level of tennis than he played last year at 4, and many of the number 1’s on other teams are the same as last year,” Conrad said. “In particular, I have tried to build him up and let him know the style of player in our last three matches, as the person he’s played is exactly who I played at the top spot last year.”
Gilbert lost 6-0, 6-3 at No. 3 singles, but Conrad said he has seen a growth in confidence in both Gilbert and Barstow.
“They’ve now both won matches at a higher spot than they played last year, and know they are good enough to continue winning at that slightly elevated level,” Conrad said. “I’ve also seen a greater level of determination in day-to-day activities and in matches too, knowing that if we want to beat any good team, we all have to show up and play very well.”
Janicijevic and sophomore Sam Clyde lost at No. 5 and No. 6 singles 6-1, 6-2 and 6-3, 6-2 respectively. Head Coach Keith Turner said Clyde reached out to Turner last year about playing, but there wasn’t room on the team.
“I reached out to Sam in December knowing it was foreseeable that there could be some roster challenges in the spring,” Turner said. “He’s come in with a great attitude and has improved already. He’s been put into some tough situations already but he’s handled it well.”
On Sunday, the Chargers took on Ferris State and fell 5-0. Barstow and Conrad fell at No. 1 doubles 6-3, while Janicijevic and Gilbert lost 6-2 at No. 2 doubles.
Barstow, Gilbert, and Janicijeciv lost in singles while Clyde’s and Conrad’s matches went unfinished as the teams played until Ferris had won enough matches to clinch.
Conrad said one of the keys to staying positive is remembering that there is a realistic chance of the team winning the conference tournament in April.
“Nearly everyone on the team was here last year for our historic run to nationals, and we all want to get back there,” Conrad said.
Turner said the team is hoping Cimpeanu will be able to play doubles this weekend against Wayne State University and Northwood University on Saturday and Sunday.
Wayne State is 5-1 this season, beating Tiffin University, Walsh University, and University of Findlay 6-1 in the last three matches. The Chargers will play them at the Franklin Athletic Club in Southfield, MI.
Northwood is 1-3 this season, playing Aquinas College on Friday before playing at Hillsdale on Sunday.
“The positive is that everyone is handling the crazy situation that has developed quite well,” Turner said. “We’ve known for about 4 months that Brian was out for the year. We knew that we couldn’t afford anyone else to get hurt. It’s a character builder and we know there are better days ahead. I’m proud of the guys for the way they handled the tough weekend.”
