Sophomore Ryan Papazov won No. 1 singles. Courtesy | Ashley Van Hoose

The Hillsdale College men’s tennis team defeated Roosevelt University 6-1 March 8, earning a bounce-back win after last week’s loss. With the win, the Chargers improve to 4-4 on the season. 

“After a stretch of very tough opponents, it was great to get another in-region win,” head coach Keith Turner said. “We showed our depth, and it was nice to get everyone on the team involved.”

The Chargers started off strong, securing the doubles point by winning two of three matches. At No. 1 doubles, junior Ellis Klanduch and sophomore Ryan Papazov won 6-3. 

“​​We have really been focusing on crashing at the net during practice,” Papazov said. “We were able to translate that into constant pressure against Roosevelt and we capitalized on many chances.”

Klanduch credited the success of their serves in the win.

“Ryan’s serve was on yesterday, and when it is on, there is not much that I need to do at the net,” Klanduch said. “There are a lot of times where I don’t even see the ball come back.”

Freshmen Patrick Cretu and Jackson Clements clinched the doubles point with a 7-6 win at No. 2 doubles. After being down 5-1 in the tiebreaker, Cretu and Clements won 7 of the last 8 points to secure the win. 

Hillsdale’s lone doubles loss came at No. 3, where sophomores Alex Cordero Lopez and Rintaro Goda fell 6-3. 

Hillsdale did not let up, and the team carried its momentum into singles play, winning at Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

Papazov earned a 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 1, and fellow sophomore Sam Plys followed with a commanding 6-0, 6-3 win at No. 2.

“I have really been focusing on moving forward and trying to keep a constant attacking presence throughout the point in singles,” Papazov said. “I saw a lot of success.” 

Cretu continued the dominance with a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 3 singles. Klanduch added another point at No. 4, winning 6-3, 6-2. 

Hillsdale’s only singles loss came at No. 5, where Cordero Lopez fell to Lluc Mascaro Sierra 6-3, 6-3. Clements closed out the match at No. 6 singles with a 7-5, 6-1 victory.

“A dominant win like this definitely helps a lot,” Klanduch said. “We had a really tough schedule to start the season, and so to be .500 is helpful for our confidence.” 

Looking ahead, the Chargers will travel south to take on Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee, March 13. The Chargers will then head to Hilton Head, South Carolina, for two matches during spring break against University of Mount Olive and Quincy University, March 15 and 16, respectively.

“We are transitioning to play on outdoor courts, and they are certainly different from the indoor courts,” Klanduch said. “It’ll be interesting to play with different elements and conditions, and it will take grit and patience to stay competitive down south.”