The women’s tennis team secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Lake Superior State University on Feb. 24, but faced a narrow 4-3 defeat against Ferris State University on Feb. 25.

“Last weekend we had some pretty great matches,” junior Courtney Rittel said. “We’ve stayed strong and won the doubles point both days which will be crucial for us to continue as we get closer to the conference.” 

Saturday’s match against Lake Superior saw the Chargers win its second match of the season. In doubles, senior Melanie Zampardo and sophomore Megan Hackman led the team with a 7-5 win at the No. 1 position, setting the tone for the day. Although the No. 2 doubles team was bested by the Lakers 4-6, the Chargers still clinched the doubles point, bolstered by a 6-1 victory from junior Elizabeth McGivern and senior Helana Formentin in the third doubles match.

Ané Dannhauser led the charge in the first singles match with a 6-1, 6-4 win over the Lakers. Zampardo continued the winning streak in the second singles match, outdoing her opponent with 6-0, 6-3 victory. Marking Hillsdale’s third consecutive triumph in singles play, McGivern also outmanoeuvred the Lakers, with scores of 6-2, 3-6, 6-0. 

Although the fourth singles match went in favor of the Lakers, the Charger’s overall performance was enough for them to claim the singles point as well, and defeat the Lakers. 

 The following day, Hillsdale took on Ferris State University in a match that proved to be a challenge for the Chargers. 

“We almost beat Ferris State and their coach was having a heart attack by the end, but unfortunately ended up losing 4-3,” Dannhauser said. “This was one of the best matches we have had all season though, so it’s only going up from here.” 

Starting off strong, Hillsdale secured the doubles point with a 7-5 win from Dannhauser and Rittel at the No. 2 spot, complemented by Formentin and McGivern’s 6-4 victory in the No. 3 doubles. 

“My match on Sunday was probably one of the hardest I have played in a long time, and I really thought my opponent was going to kill me at the beginning,” Dannhauser said. “We both had nearly five match points before I finally won, and I honestly couldn’t have done it without my teammates being there.”

In singles play, the Chargers saw victories from Dannhauser in the No. 1 singles and senior Julia Wagner at the No. 4 spot, yet the 6-1, 4-6, 6-7 win and 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 score respectively were not enough to turn the tide in their favor. 

“Our match against Ferris was super promising knowing that we are right there with them and with one more match it would’ve been our win,” Wagner said. “I think we showed up ready to fight and made Ferris work for it. Everyone played the best tennis I’ve seen so far this year!”

In the midst of these matches, Dannhauser’s consistent performance did not go unnoticed. She was named the G-MAC Women’s Tennis Player of the Week, a notable first in her collegiate career. 

The accolade came on the heels of a 3-1 week where she remained undefeated at No. 1 singles position. 

In her No. 1 singles matches, Dannhauser not only delivered a decisive 6-1, 6-4 victory against Lake Superior State, but she also overcame a first-set deficit to win in a tiebreak against Ferris State.

Notably, she also teamed up with Courtney Rittel at No. 2 doubles to clinch a key 7-5 win against the Bulldogs, contributing to Hillsdale’s doubles point. 

“This weekend was definitely a step in the right direction for the team and myself,” Dannhauser said. “I honestly have no idea how the G-MAC award works, but I was super surprised and happy that I could contribute to the team’s success.”

With a current overall record of 2-5, the Chargers set their sights on upcoming matches against regional competitors Wayne State on March 1 and Saginaw Valley State on March 2.

“I feel like this last weekend was a really good step in the right direction for us,” Zampardo said. “We are really starting to come out on top of some of the really tough and competitive matches. I’ve seen improvement in different parts of the team every weekend and I’m excited to see how much more we can continue going up.”