The Elon University men’s tennis team is heading to its second straight Southern Conference Tournament Final after defeating Appalachian State University 4-0 on Friday, April 18.
“I thought we played really well and competed hard from the first point on, on all of the courts,” Elon head coach Michael Leonard said.
The Phoenix dominated its in-state rivals, completing its second straight shutout in the tournament. Elon took the doubles point to take the early lead. At No. 1 doubles, senior Cameron Silverman and junior Jordan Kaufman defeated senior Sebastian King and sophomore Zack Bost 8-4. Junior Brian Kowalski and sophomore Robert Lindgren clinched the doubles point with an easy 8-2 win over freshmen Oliver Casey and Daniel Hoang at No. 2 doubles.
Junior Stefan Fortmann continued his good run of late with a 6-2, 6-0 straight sets win over Casey at No. 2 singles.
“(The match) was so physical, and he showed how hard it was going to be to play (against) him and it was fun to watch,” Leonard said.
Silverman inched the Phoenix to within a point of victory with a straight sets victory of his own. The senior beat King 6-4, 6-1 at No. 1 singles.
Silverman’s doubles partner, Kaufman, clinched the victory for Elon with a win at No. 5 singles. The Armonk, N.Y., native won in straight sets over freshman Jack Maddocks 6-4, 6-4.
Elon improves to 18-4 on the year, while the loss drops Appalachian State to 10-13. The Phoenix will face No. 2 Furman University in tomorrow’s championship game.
“We’re going to have a real tough match,"Leonard said. "We just have to come out with the same mentality"