Chargers fall to Michigan Tech 5-2 in season opener

A young Hillsdale College men’s tennis team hung with visiting Michigan Tech on its season opener on Saturday, but couldn’t pull out a victory in a 5-2 home loss.

Freshman Alex Cordero Lopez led the Chargers with an undefeated showing on the day against the Huskies, pulling out a hard-fought three-set victory over Michigan Tech’s Laurent Teysseire 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 at No. 3 singles, and also teaming with fellow freshman Ryan Paapzov for a well-earned 6-3 victory at No. 3 doubles as well for the Chargers.

Sophomore Henry Hammond also showed grit for Hillsdale, rallying from a 3-6 first-set defeat at No. 5 singles against Michigan Tech’s Sarth Bansode with a 6-3 second set win to force a tiebreak, then gutting out a 10-7 victory to secure the match and the point for the Chargers.

Although Hillsdale was competitive in other flights, sealing the deal proved difficult against the more experienced Huskies. Freshman Rintaro Goda came the closest at No. 6 singles, pushing Michigan Tech’s Ian Pinnoo to a second-set tiebreak before falling 2-6, 6-7 (3).

Hillsdale (0-1) will learn from its opener and look to pick up a victory with two more home matches next weekend, starting with a Saturday match against Lake Superior State.

Photo by Vinny Hill