Sarah Hackman and Melanie Zampardo led the team to secure doubles points. Courtesy | Hillsdale College Athletics Department
The Hillsdale women’s tennis team secured two wins against Ursuline and Walsh over the weekend, breaking a four-match losing streak as senior Sarah Hackman earned Women’s Tennis Player of the Week.
After traveling to Ursuline College, the Chargers walked away with a 7-0 victory. Two days later, the Chargers earned a 4-3 win over Walsh at home.
The Chargers won all nine matches against Ursuline in straight sets, dropping only one game in the entire match. Hillsdale secured the doubles point led by senior Sarah Hackman and junior Melanie Zampardo’s 6-1 performance at No. 1 doubles.
Freshman Megan Hackman and senior Canela Luna took a 6-0 win at No. 2 doubles, and freshman Isabella Spinazze and junior Helana Formentin secured the victory at No. 3 doubles as well.
“Everyone showed up right off the bat and it showed with us winning all three doubles matches,” Sarah said. “It provided a really great team energy leading into singles. Everyone fought hard, and watching Melanie fight for every point on the court next to me just keeps me accountable to do the same.”
All six singles players won 6-0, 6-0 matches.
“We played well. This is not usually a super tough team, but we kept good energy and did not play down to their level,” Luna said.
In the match on Sunday, the Chargers secured the doubles point in all three matches, led by Sarah and Zampardo, who won 6-1 at No. 1 doubles.
Sophomore Libby McGivern and senior Ellie Chawner followed with a 6-3 victory at No. 2 doubles, and Megan and Luna took the last doubles points with a 6-2 win at No. 3 doubles.
In singles play, the Chargers won three of the six matches needed to defeat Walsh. Sarah began with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win at No. 1 singles, followed by McGivern’s 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 4 singles.
Chawner clinched the match with a three-set victory of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 at No. 6 singles.
“Having one match on the road and then playing a home match two days later doesn’t happen too often,” Sarah said, “but the team adjusted well and we were all very happy with the results.”
“We came out with a lot of energy and were super loud,” Luna said. “We fought hard and it seemed to finally click into place for a lot of players. I’m excited for the rest of the season.”
Hillsdale’s current record of 5-7 overall and 2-1 in G-MAC play places the Chargers in a four-way tie for third place in the conference, trailing closely behind Tiffin and Findlay.
“I thought this weekend was a really great showing from the team,” Sarah said.
The Chargers are within reach of a top four seed in the G-MAC tournament at the end of the season, but will need to deliver strong performances in the remaining matches scheduled for April.
The Chargers will travel to Kentucky Wesleyan April 1 for their next match.
