Courtesy: Hillsdale Athletic Department

The women’s tennis team lost 4-3 to No. 22 nationally ranked Wayne State University in Detroit Feb. 28, bringing the Chargers’ season record to 5-3. 

“We really had to work for it overall, and it just shows our potential and where we could be, and how much better we’re getting as the season’s going along,” head coach Melanie Zampardo said.

The team prepared for an intense match against an unrelenting opponent, according to Zampardo. 

“That was a heartbreaking match,” Zampardo said. “I think everyone felt the hurt afterward, because we were so close to a team that we were a matter of points away from winning. And with them being so good, it feels like an opportunity missed, almost, but we’re taking the positives, we’re getting better and better, and we’re just going to keep chugging along and getting better as we go.”

The Chargers won the doubles point, with sophomore Briana Rees and freshman Dimitra Papastavrou beating Wayne State 7-5 at No. 2 doubles, and senior Bella Spinazze and sophomore Julia Zlateva winning 6-4 at No. 3 doubles. 

“We played really well against a really good team, and it was really close, and I think it could have gone either way,” Spinazze said. “So I think the biggest thing we can learn was to have a lot of confidence, and to play every match with that confidence we’ve gained from this match.” 

Zampardo said the team played calmly and confidently in the doubles matches, which were all close. 

“I’ve known that we’re a good team, but that match really just solidified how good we really are,” Zampardo said. 

Although Rees lost 6-3, 1-6, 4-6 at No. 2 singles, Zampardo said she fought throughout the entire match. 

“Bri had to work for every single point that she played and every point that she won,” Zampardo said. “Her opponent really wasn’t giving her anything, and that’s kind of how it was across the board.”

Zlateva won 6-4, 6-2 at No. 5 singles, and freshman Esther Sura won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 6 singles. 

“They absolutely killed their singles matches,” Zampardo said. “They just came out and played their games.”

Zlateva said they had good energy and encouraged one another in their matches.

“My singles match was good, it was competitive, and I think I handled that really well,” Zlateva said.

Zlateva said some members of the other team were rude, but Hillsdale handled it well. 

“We didn’t feed into it at all,” Zlateva said. “We were just focused on our own game and we stood our ground, and I thought that was really good.” 

The Chargers will play Roosevelt University at home March 8 at 2 p.m.