Courtesy: Hillsdale Athletic Department.

Freshman Patrick Cretu earned a singles win after playing on court for three hours, accounting for Hillsdale’s only point in a 6-1 loss to No. 20 nationally ranked Wayne State University on Feb. 28.

The Wayne State Warriors opened the match by sweeping doubles play to take an early 1-0 lead. The Warriors also won five of six singles matches to secure a win over Hillsdale and move the Chargers’ season record to 3-4.

At No. 1 doubles, juniors Ellis Klanduch and Henry Hammond lost 6-4. Sophomores Samuel Plys and Ryan Papazov also lost 6-4 at No. 2 doubles, and Cretu and freshman Jackson Clements were defeated 6-3 at No. 3 doubles.

Despite the sweep, head coach Keith Turner noted how competitive the doubles matches remained.

“Wayne State was one of the strongest teams we’ll play all year,” Turner said. “We hung in there with doubles, losing by only a break of serve in each match.”

The Warriors carried that momentum into singles play, winning four of the first five matches. Papazov, Hammond, Plys, and Klanduch all dropped their matches in straight sets. 

“As far as singles, we showed our depth, but we need to be better closer to the top of the lineup,” Turner said. “We can compete with the top teams in the nation, but our singles overall could have been better.”

At No.5 singles, Cretu took the opening set 6-3, and he held off a late push from Wayne State’s Sam Knowles to win the second set 7-6. Cretu’s singles record moves to 5-2 on the season.

“Strategy going into singles was to dictate points while staying solid,” Cretu said. “I was able to pull through in big moments.”

The longest match of the day came at No. 6 singles, where sophomore Alex Cordero Lopez played for three sets. After claiming the first set 7-6, Lopez narrowly dropped the second set 7-6. He ultimately lost in a third-set tiebreak. 

“I felt like I was playing great tennis and that the improvements I’ve been working on were consolidating in the match,” Lopez said. “I just try to always get the win regardless of the team result. I truly believe the level in our team is there, we just haven’t been able to translate it to some more wins.”

The Chargers look to bounce back as they host Roosevelt University March 8 at 10 a.m. in the Margot V. Biermann Athletic Center.

“Hopefully we can turn this match our way before a tough stretch, including spring break,” Cretu said. “It will be a test of our discipline to see how we match up against teams down south in the outdoors.”