The Hillsdale College women's tennis team played in its final tune-up this weekend ahead of the ITA Midwest Regional, hosting its home Fall Invitational against top competition.
The Chargers' competition included two top 25 programs and two of the top teams in the Midwest Region in 2024, G-MAC Champion University of Findlay and GLIAC Champion Wayne State University, as well as perennial G-MAC contender Walsh, creating a tough path for Hillsdale's players.
Despite the challenges, the Chargers still found some success. Both of Hillsdale's players in the A singles bracket advanced to the semifinal, with
Ane Dannhauser reaching the championship match with wins over Taira Abildayeva of Walsh (6-3, 6-3) and Malak Arafat of Wayne State (6-4, 7-5) before falling in a hard-fought three set match in the final. Sophomore
Briana Rees also made the semifinal.
In the B singles bracket, both Hillsdale players picked up a consolation bracket win, with sophomore
Julia Zlateva beating Walsh's Olesia Ivashchuk 6-4, 6-7 (5) 10-8 and
Dimitra Papastavrou beating Walsh's Aleksandra Chmir 7-6 (2), 6-2
Freshman
Esther Sura took third in the C singles bracket for the Chargers, beating Findlay's Audrey Ouellet 6-4, 6-2, and senior
Megan Hackman took third for the Chargers in the D singles bracket with wins over Wayne State's Eliza Verstappen (6-2, 6-4) and Findlay's Kyna Decruy (6-2, 6-3).
Hillsdale sophomore
Emma Palus won the D Bracket Consolation title as well, with wins over Rebecca Laynes (6-1, 6-2) and Eliza Verstappen (6-2, 6-2), both of Wayne State.
In doubles play, Dannhauser and Rees took a 6-4 win over a Walsh team to finish fourth in the A bracket, and Palus and Sura earned a 6-4 win over a team from Walsh in the B bracket.
Next up for Hillsdale is the crowning event of the fall, the ITA Midwest Regional, hosted by Davenport in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Oct. 4-6. All the top players from every team across the Midwest Region will be competing in singles and doubles brackets for regional titles and a spot in the ITA Cup, the defacto NCAA DII singles and doubles national championship.
