In its final match before the start of G-MAC play, the Hillsdale College women's tennis team fell in a narrow defeat to host Grand Valley St. University in a match played in Grand Rapids on Monday.

The Chargers fell behind early, dropping all three doubles matches to give the Lakers the doubles point and a 1-0 lead.

In singles play, Hillsdale got three victories, but came up short of the fourth it needed to swing the match in its favor in a 4-3 loss.

Canela Luna won at No. 3 singles to lead the Chargers, beating Marija Leko 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, and Sophia Spinazze topped Liv Hanover in a hard-fought 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 match at No. 5 singles.

Freshman Helana Formentin also got a victory for Hillsdale at No. 6 singles, beating Olivia Huang 6-4, 6-1. 

Hillsdale was originally scheduled to open up G-MAC play with a match at Ursuline on Saturday, but that contest was cancelled when Ursuline went on a week-long pause of its athletics department.

The Chargers next play at Kentucky Wesleyan on March 27, looking to begin a push for a third-straight G-MAC crown.

Photo by Summer Fields