Box Score A shocking upset by a Chargers freshman in the final round of the day highlighted the Hillsdale men's tennis team's final event of the fall on Saturday.

Hillsdale hosted Wayne State and Purdue Northwest for its annual Fall Invitational on Saturday at the Delp Tennis Courts. With tough competition from a Wayne State squad that's been nationally ranked the past couple of years and a veteran Purdue Northwest squad coming off a strong ITA Regional showing, wins were few and far between for the young Chargers, but the high level of play proved beneficial for Hillsdale nonetheless as it heads into winter training.

One player who wrapped up a strong fall in emphatic fashion was Hillsdale freshman Alex Cordero Lopez, who stunned 2024 ITA Midwest Regional runner-up and top-15 ranked singles player in NCAA DII, Wayne State's Cedric Drenth, in a thrilling 6-2, 4-6, 10-3 match. Lopez, who made a Round of 16 run in his first ITA Midwest Regional last weekend, showed his promise once again with the victory over Drenth, and heads into the winter break knowing he can play and win against some of the best players in the nation when he's on his game.

Along with Lopez, two other freshmen picked up a victory for Hillsdale. Rintaro Goda recorded his first collegiate win as a Charger with a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 10-8 win over Anderson of Wayne State, while teammate Eddie Bergelin picked up a nice 6-4, 6-2 victory over Anderson as well.

Several other Chargers came close to picking up a victory against tough opponents, as Ellis Klanduch, Henry Hammond and Ryan Papazov all took at least one foe to three sets before falling.

Hillsdale now turns its focus to preparing for the spring, as the Chargers will train for the next few months with an eye towards being ready for the opening match at home against Michigan Tech on Feb. 1, 2025.

Photo by Kenneth Gaudet