Over spring break, the Hillsdale College women’s team traveled south to Florida to play against Nova Southeastern University and Palm Beach Atlantic University. Although the Chargers suffered a loss against NSU 7-0 and against PBAU 5-2, the team crushed its home game against Ashland University, winning 6-1.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect since Ashland is new to our conference this year so it was a surprise all across the lineup,” freshman Libby McGivern said.
In the Ashland match, senior Sophia Spinazze and junior Canela Luna won their doubles match 6-2 against Gabriella Hudec and Claudia Adcock. Spinazze dominated her singles match, beating Alice Adin 6-1 6-1.
“The other team had some very strong aggressive shots,” Spinazze said. “My opponent tried to control the point, move me around, and take advantage of openings. To counter that strategy I stayed patient in the point, used defensive balls to return her aggressive shots, and then capitalized when I saw openings in the court by hitting an aggressive ball myself.”
Spinazze said her favorite part of her singles match was at the end.
“I was very comfortable with my rhythm of play at that point, and I had figured out the game style of my opponent,” Spinazze said. “I was able to stay calm and relaxed which allowed me to construct points and finish them off with aggressive, confident shots. It was exciting to see that all come together while playing alongside my teammates.”
Luna said she had a feeling throughout her singles match that she would end up with a victory.
“In the second set, when I got up 5-2, that was nice because I knew I was going to be able to close out the match,” Luna said. “I was just trying to stay consistent, and keep the ball in as much as I could. She was trying to hit the ball really hard and I was just trying to take away her ability to do that.”
Senior Sarah Hackman and freshman Melanie Zampardo defeated Ashland players Kortney Reed and Huntyr Lake 6-1. Zampardo crushed her singles match, defeating Lake 6-1 6-1.
“It was super fun winning doubles and then looking over to see the other courts doing great as well,” Zampardo said. “The deuce points are always a challenge because they can go either way and can change the whole course of the match.”
Going into the match, McGivern said didn’t know whether Ashland would be a difficult team to play. She ended up working with junior Ellie Chawner to beat Meredith Fitch and Alice Adin 6-1. In her singles match, she beat Kortney Reed 6-3 6-2.
“Ellie and I worked together great as always. We understand each other and feed off of each other’s energy so it helps us stay positive because we know if one of us gets down, so will the other one,” McGivern said.
“In the second set, when I got up 5-2, that was nice because I knew I was going to be able to close out the match. I felt like I was going to win the entire time”
Luna said Ashland was one of the easier teams she’s played against. She predicts the Chargers will make it into the final four.
“It seemed like none of the girls really had heart,” Luna said. “They’re probably the third worst team in the conference, maybe fourth. Them and Cedarville will have a pretty good match, but I don’t think they or Cedarville will get into the conference in the end.”
In the future, Spinazze said she hopes to be more positive and cheer on her teammates.
“I would try to be more vocal in cheering on my entire team,” Spinazze said. “That’s something we all strive to do, but I know I can always be better about it. I want my energy to be something my teammates can lean on if they ever get down or are struggling. I know so many of my teammates have been that positive source for me during tough matches.”
