The Hamline Pipers’ Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams took the court multiple times between April 19 and 26, closing out their regular season against tough Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) opponents. This came with a mix of dominant wins and hard-fought conference battles.
Women’s Tennis
The Hamline women’s team delivered one of its most successful stretches of the season, highlighted by a 7—0 sweep over Saint Mary’s University in a historic victory, also going undefeated in exhibition games against Saint Mary’s. This also clinched the MIAC playoff for the Pipers.
The Pipers controlled the match from the start, sweeping all doubles before carrying that momentum into singles, where they won every match in straight sets. These games came with an array of clutch moments, especially from junior Vanessa Pham, who played as the one and had many tough shots. The dominant performance showcased Hamline’s ability to close out games, especially during difficult matchups.
Earlier in the week, the Pipers celebrated Senior Day with a 6—1 victory over Martin Luther College. The Pipers once again leaned on strong doubles play and efficient singles wins to secure the non-conference victory.
The Piper’s only setback came with a 6–-1 loss against the University of St. Catherine, to potentially have had a home court playoff match. Shayla Draper was the only first-year player to win her match against the Wildcats. Despite the scoreline, several matches were competitive, with the Pipers pushing multiple sets deep before falling.
Men’s Tennis
The Men’s team showed resilience throughout the week, highlighted by a complete sweep of Saint Mary’s on April 22. The Pipers dominated both doubles and singles, controlling points early and limiting unforced errors in a statement home victory.
Along with the women’s team, the men earned another commanding result with a 7—0 sweep over Martin Luther in its final non-conference match on April 17, showcasing the team’s ability to close out matches decisively.
In MIAC play, however, the Pipers faced stiffer competition. Hamline faced Macalester College, pushing several matches to tiebreakers before ultimately failing in a 6—1 loss. The close margins reflected the team’s competitiveness, even in defeat.
The regular season finale versus St. Olaf College was very gritty. Multiple matches extended into tight sets, but the Pipers were unable to cover key late points.
The Pipers also celebrated the life of a teammate, Cooper Johnson, who sadly passed away. Court 3 at Holt Courts has been officially dedicated to Cooper as a respect and appreciation for all the lives that he touched and the impact that he has had on the Hamline community as a whole.
Looking to the Future
With the regular season complete, the women’s team turns its focus to the MIAC playoffs, carrying momentum from a historic win. The men’s team, meanwhile, closes its season, having shown clear improvement and competitiveness against the conference’s best.
