INDIANAPOLIS – Hillsdale and Tiffin were announced as recipients of Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tennis Athletes of the Week awards as announced on Thursday afternoon.
 
Brennan Cimpeanu
Hillsdale
Sophomore
Troy, MI (Troy HS)
 
Cimpeanu made conference history as the first student-athlete to navigate his way through the singles bracket for a title at the ITA Midwest Regional hosted by Grand Valley State. He won the main draw in Flight A singles as the No. 4 seed.
 
It was an incredible journey for the sophomore, who had a combined 10-1 record between all singles and doubles competition from Allendale, Mich.
 
That mean six consecutive victories in the singles bracket as he beat opponents from Illinois Springfield, Ferris State, Grand Valley State and Drury, before reaching the semifinal round. His win against Sylvain Garin-Michaud of Drury included a comeback win with tiebreakers in each set.
 
Cimpeanu then came back in similar form to win in the semis vs. Illinois Springfield’s Tommy Martinez, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 11-9. In the championship match, he took down No. 2 seed Nikolaj Talimaa of UIndy by a 6-4 final.
 
In the Flight A main doubles draw, Cimpeanu worked deep into the championship bracket with teammate Sean Barstow.
 
They beat opponents from Grand Valley State, Southwest Baptist, UIndy and Southern Indiana, in order before getting edged out in the semifinals vs. Drury. Cimpeanu is now an automatic qualifier for the ITA Cup in Rome, Georgia beginning Oct. 14 and he is also first G-MAC men's tennis player to qualify.
 
Anaelle Lepinay
Tiffin
Freshman
Saint Barthelemy Anjou, France
 
Lepinay collected her second athlete of the week award for the fall season with a strong showing at the Ball State Invitational in a Division I heavy bracket.
 
She earned a consolation doubles title with teammate Emily Barrett as they went 2-1 with victories over Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Oakland.
 
Lepinay also worked her way to the singles consolations final, earning a win over an opponent from Oakland before falling to Eastern Michigan.
 
The Dragons had their first dual match earlier this week against Goshen College (Ind.).