Junior Ané Dannhauser gets ready to serve.
Courtesy | Ashley Van Hoose

The women’s tennis team broke its losing streak this weekend by beating Ashland University 5-2 and Cedarville University 5-2 on April 3 and 4, improving to 8-8 on the season and 2-3 in the conference. 

Freshman Dimitra Papastavrou at No. 4 singles, and senior Bella Spinazze at No. 6 singles, both beat their Cedarville opponents in a third set. 

“We were in a really tight situation where we were up 3-2, so we were in a good spot. We only need one more match win,” head coach Melanie Zampardo said. “But both matches that were out were Bella and Dimi, so No. 4 and No. 6 singles, who were both in third sets.” 

Papastavrou won her singles match 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, and Spinazze won her singles match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Zampardo said Papastavrou stayed confident and composed, and Spinazze stayed focused and persistent. 

“I was really proud of both of them for pulling that out,” Zampardo said. “They gave us the 5-2, but you see where it could have gone either way at any given moment.”

Spinazze said Papastavrou winning her singles game, which clinched the match, was the highlight of the day.

“The weekend’s matches were competitive but good wins,” Spinazze said. “We enjoyed traveling as a team and were grateful to be able to play outside on Saturday.” 

The match against Cedarville was difficult because of the wind, according to Zampardo. 

“Wind is a great neutralizer, and it was a great challenge for us, because we’re not used to those conditions,” Zampardo said. “We’re not acclimated to playing outside. We’ve had a very long indoor season so far. Playing in that wind was a shock.” 

Junior Ané Dannhauser also said playing in the wind was the toughest part of the weekend. 

“We had to be very patient and smart, because we couldn’t hit all of our normal shots while it was at its peak,” Dannhauser said.

The Chargers defeated Ashland University in all three doubles matches. At No. 1 doubles, Dannhauser and sophomore Briana Rees won 6-3. At No. 2 doubles, Spinazze and sophomore Julia Zlateva won 6-4. At No. 3 doubles, freshman Esther Sura and Papastavrou won 6-2. 

“We never really know what to expect from Ashland and Cedarville, but they came out and played super well,” Dannhauser said.

Next weekend, the Chargers will host two games at the Margot V. Biermann Athletic Center. The first game is against Kentucky Wesleyan College April 10 at 4 p.m., and the second is against Thomas More University April 11.

The team will celebrate seniors Megan Hackman and Spinazze at their senior day April 10. Hackman and Spinazze will play a doubles match together, according to Zampardo.

“Afterwards, we’ll have a very nice dinner with family and friends,” Zampardo said. “And so it’ll be just a really nice celebration of the two seniors who have dedicated their time in college to leading this team and just being great examples for the younger girls.”