The Hillsdale College women's tennis team continued the fall portion of its season this past weekend, with more tough tests against strong Midwest Region programs at its own yearly home invitational.

The Chargers welcomed perennial GLIAC contender Wayne State, along with two of the strongest teams in its own conference, Walsh and Northwood, for two days of competition this Saturday and Sunday.

Several Chargers split their two singles matches for the invitational, led by sophomore Libby McGivern at No. 3 singles, who picked up a 6-7, 6-3, 10-6 victory over Alexa Gamborino of Walsh to go 1-1 for the invitational.

Senior Canela Luna also picked up a win at No. 4 singles, beating Yasmina Mayer of Walsh 6-0, 6-0, senior Ellie Chawner won 6-3, 6-4 at No. 5 singles over Carla Padberg of Walsh, and, at No. 7 singles, sophomore Courtney Rittel won 6-0, 6-2 over Campbell Kallio of Northwook and junior Helana Formentin also picked up a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Kallio.

Senior Tatum Matthews rounded out Hillsdale's singles winners with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Northwood's Sophia Baker at No. 9 singles.

In doubles play, four Hillsdale doubles teams picked up at least one victory. The Chargers' top pairing of Sarah Hackman and Melanie Zampardo beat Wayne State's Marta Komar and Malak Arafat 7-5 at No. 1 doubles, and Hillsdale's No. 3 pairing of Megan Hackman and Luna won a 6-4 match over the Warriors' Sabrina Laynes and Suki Mandair as well.

Also winning for the Chargers was the team of Matthews and Formentin, who took a 6-1 win over Northwood's Baker and Kallio, and the team of Julia Wagner and Rittel, who defeated Walsh's Chiara Wolff and Rachel Kibler 6-4.

Hillsdale now has a two-week break to prepare for its final event of the fall, the G-MAC Invitational hosted by Northwood University on Oct. 21 and 22.

Photo by Anthony Lupi