DURHAM, N.C. – Elon’s Philip Nemec and Chase Helpingstine picked up an impressive 9-8 (5) win over Duke’s Dylan Arnould and Alain Michel as the Elon men’s tennis team opened up its spring season at the annual Duke Invitational. Elon newcomers Eric Turner and Thomas Darling also picked up points for the Phoenix.

 

“I thought our top two doubles teams played very well today,” stated Elon head coach Michael Leonard. “However, we were unable to match Duke’s consistent play in singles. We will get ready for another group of strong players from the University of North Carolina tomorrow.”

 

The tournament is a round robin format with points awarded to each individual for victories based on the number of position they play in singles and doubles. The singles player and doubles tandem with the most points at the conclusion of the three-day tournament will be awarded as champions. Throughout the competition, Elon will be facing opponents from No. 19 Duke, No. 28 North Carolina and No. 62 East Tennessee State.

 

Nemec and Helpingstine earned five points for their victory at the top doubles position. Elon’s number two doubles duo of Turner and Alberto Rojas went down to the wire with Duke’s David Holland and Luke Marchese, falling in a heartbreaker, 9-8 (6). Darling and rookie Carlos Arboleda fell, 8-2, to the Blue Devils’ Aaron Carpenter and Jared Pinsky at the number three spot.

 

In singles, Darling earned four points after battling out a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 1-0 (10-2) win over David Lue. Turner amassed seven points, winning the first set by a score of 6-1 before David Holland was forced to retire. Duke earned the remainder of the points, winning five singles matches in straight sets.

 

5 Philip Nemec/Chase Helpingstine (Elon) def. Dylan Arnould/Alain Michel (Duke) 9-8 (7-5)

4 David Holland/Luke Marchese (Duke) def. Alberto Rojas/Eric Turner (Elon) 9-8 (8-6)

3 Aaron Carpenter/Jared Pinsky (Duke) def. Carlos Arboleda/Thomas Darling (Elon) 8-2

  

10 #62 Dylan Arnould (Duke) def. Philip Nemec (Elon) 6-1, 6-3

9 Jared Pinsky (Duke) def. Chase Helpingstine (Elon) 6-4, 6-1

8 Luke Marchese (Duke) def. Alberto Rojas (Elon) 6-1, 6-2

7 Eric Turner (Elon) def. David Holland (Duke) 6-1, retired

6 Aaron Carpenter (Duke) def. Carlos Arboleda (Elon) 7-6, 6-2

5 Alain Michel (Duke) def. Clark Howell (Elon) 6-3, 6-2

4 Thomas Darling (Elon) def. David Lue (Duke) 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 1-0 (10-2)