Hillsdale women’s tennis opened their 2024-25 season with victories in both singles and doubles play at their annual Chargers Summer Invitational on Sept. 6-7, according to sophomore Ané Dannhauser. The Chargers hosted players from University of Findlay, Walsh University, and Wayne State University. 

Dannhauser started for Hillsdale  in Flight A singles. After a 5-7, 0-6 loss to her Findlay opponent, Dannhauser went on to win the Flight A consolation bracket title. She defeated a Walsh opponent 6-3, 4-6, 10-4, and capped her run in the final with a 6-3, 7-5 win over a second Walsh opponent. 

“This past weekend was a very solid start to our short fall season,” Dannhauser said. “It was great getting back into matches. We played against some tough schools and showed that we have what it takes to compete with them.” 

Senior Elizabeth McGivern also competed in Flight A singles, but lost to Wayne State 3-6, 1-6.

In Flight B singles, freshman Briana Rees took the first set 6-4 against a Walsh opponent but was unable to maintain her lead, losing 0-6, 3-10 in the tiebreaker. Senior Courtney Rittel played a Wayne State opponent in the same flight and lost 4-6, 1-6.

Junior Isabella Spinazze lost 4-6, 3-6 to a Wayne State opponent, and freshman Julia Zlateva came up short 2-6, 4-6 against a Findlay opponent  in their Flight C matches.

For doubles in Flight A, Dannhauser and Rees lost 6-7, 5-7 to Findlay and Rittel and Zlateva dropped 2-6 to Wayne State. Both matches were in the quarterfinals. 

Additionally, in Flight B doubles, McGivern and Spinazze came up short in two sets against Walsh, 6-7, 2-7. 

“This weekend was an early start to our fall season, having come off of only three days of practice as a team,” McGivern said. “Even though we didn’t see very many wins this weekend, I think the team had great energy and enthusiasm despite that, and it was awesome to have coach Nikki back with us.”

The Chargers will compete in the 2024 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest Regional at Davenport University in Grand Rapids Sept. 14-16. This three-day competition will feature top National Collegiate Athletics Association Division II singles and doubles players from across the Midwest.

“We have a lot to work on,” Rittel said, “but I am very confident and excited for the weeks to come.”