Hillsdale's Varsity Teams Aim High in Regional Tournaments

Hillsdale's varsity girls golf and boys tennis teams are the sole representatives of their respective sports in the county, and they are both headed to regional tournaments for the MHSAA postseason next week. With the hopes of earning state tournament qualification on an individual and team level, these dedicated athletes are poised to showcase their skills and determination.

Powering Through Adversity, Hillsdale's Teams Seek Greatness

Hillsdale Girls Golf: Seniors Lead the Charge

Hillsdale's girls golf team, led by several seasoned seniors, including LCAA second-team all-league honoree Kassidy Hassenzahl, is set to compete at the LP D4 region 22 tournament at Heritage Glen Golf Club in Paw Paw, Michigan. The course, known for its wide-open fairways, will provide a unique challenge for the Hornets.The Hillsdale squad boasts a wealth of experience, with five senior golfers: Hassenzahl, Meghan Mekelburg, Lydia Kunkel, Killian Monahan, and Kate Nolan. The lone non-senior on the team is junior Baeleigh Francis. Hassenzahl and Mekelburg both tied for 17th at the recent LCAA championship jamboree, while Francis took 21st. Nolan finished in 24th, Kunkel took 26th, and Jillian Monahan placed 28th overall.The competition at the Region 22 tournament will be fierce, with teams like Athens, Cassopolis, Comstock, Concord, Hanover-Horton, Kalamazoo Christian, Hackett Catholic, Lansing Catholic, Niles Brandywine, Olivet, Parchment, Schoolcraft, and St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran all vying for a spot in the state finals. Notably, Kalamazoo Christian is ranked first overall, and Lansing Catholic is ranked third in the state.

Hillsdale Boys Tennis: Seniors and Juniors Lead the Way

The Hillsdale boys tennis team recently wrapped up its regular season, with senior Brahm Gambill securing a 6-0, 6-1 victory in his final match. Juniors Landon York and Ben Champion also emerged victorious, with Champion winning 6-1, 6-2 and York taking a 6-3, 6-1 triumph.As the Hornets head to the regional postseason tournament, the four singles bracket competitors will be Gambill and Portteus, the team's seniors, along with juniors York and Champion. Hillsdale will also field doubles teams at the regional event, which is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9th at 9 a.m. at Grosse Ile High School.The Division 4, Region 20 tournament will feature a formidable lineup of teams, including Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, Brooklyn Columbia Central, Clawson, Grosse Ile, Jackson Lumen Christi, Monroe St. Mary's, Pinckney, Plymouth Christian Academy, and West Bloomfield Frankel Jewish Academy. Grosse Ile, Jackson Lumen Christi, and Gabriel Richard are all state-ranked Division 4 teams, adding to the intensity of the competition.The Hillsdale girls golf team is coached by Nick Tucker, while the boys tennis team is led by Matthew Duff. These dedicated coaches have instilled a winning mindset in their athletes, who are now poised to make their mark on the regional stage.