ELON, N.C. – After a long road stretch, the Elon men’s tennis team finally played in front of its home crowd on a spring-like Sunday afternoon, but 73rd-ranked USC Upstate spoiled Elon’s home opener with a 5-2 victory over the Phoenix. Juniors Chase Helpingstine and Alberto Rojas each picked up singles victories, but Elon dropped to 0-8 on the young season. USC Upstate improved to 3-4 overall.
“It was good to get outside for the first time this year,” stated Elon head coach Michael Leonard. “We competed hard, but it was disappointing to lose the doubles point. We just have to keep playing hard and winning will take care of itself.”
Elon continues to try new doubles combinations during this early non-conference play. Upstate came away with big wins at number one and two to grab the early advantage. A bright spot in doubles action was Elon newcomers Tommy Darling and Eric Turner who teamed up for the first time this season to earn a 9-7 victory over USC Upstate’s Gary Goudsmet and Jack Roux at number three.
The Spartans fed off the momentum of winning the doubles point to earn victories in four of the six singles matches. Rojas lost only one game in a straight set win over Goudsmet at number four, but Upstate pulled out wins at number five, one and six to clinch the victory. Helpingstine played a very competitive match at number two, pulling out the 7-6 (10-8), 6-4 win against Javier Tori. Helpingstine is 4-4 in dual action this year. In a lengthy bout at number three, the Spartans’ Rodriguez managed to edge out a 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 victory over Turner.
Elon will look to break into the win column next weekend when it hosts Lees-McRae and Charlotte on Saturday, February 27 beginning at 9:30 a.m.
-- ELON --
