August 31, 2011 – After a seven-year absence, Hillsdale College will officially field a women’s tennis team this fall. The revived program will take the court for the first time this weekend in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

The Chargers will participate in the Lake Superior State University tournament, being held at the school’s Norris Center. This marks the first time LSSU is hosting a women’s tennis tournament.

Hillsdale cut its women’s program following the 2004 season. But the college’s board of directors approved the re-formation of the program last winter. Three months ago today (May 31), the school hired Nikki Dzubay as head coach. Over the past two weeks, Dzubay has overseen tryouts and now has a roster of eight players she will be taking to northern Michigan.

Eight players make up the 2011 Charger women’s tennis team: Brittany Parks (South Lyon, Mich.), Morgan Delp (Toledo, Ohio), Morgan Linden (Sandusky, Ohio), Abby Sjoersdma (Hudsonville, Mich.), Elena Sakelaris (Naperville, Ill.), Ellie Voci (Grosse Pointe, Mich.), Olivia Renfroe (Eaton, Col.), and Jayme Weber (Tuscon, Ari.).

Weber is the program’s lone senior. Parks (pictured) is a transfer from the University of Oklahoma, where she played for the Sooners’ women’s tennis team. Delp’s father Cleves played baseball at Hillsdale in the 1980s, while Renfroe earned statewide academic honors in tennis, basketball and cross country in Colorado.

Hillsdale will compete against Davenport University and Roberts Wesleyan at the tournament, which will be held on indoor and outdoor courts at LSSU.

After coming back from the Upper Peninsula, the Chargers will begin their conference schedule at GLIAC powerhouse Northwood Tuesday in Midland. Hillsdale will play its first home match of the new era starting at 2 p.m. Friday against Ashland University.