Agate

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Elon rookie Cameron Silverman’s three-set thriller over Davidson’s Joe Schafer at number two singles clinched a hard-fought 4-3 men’s tennis victory for the Phoenix over the Wildcats in Elon’s Southern Conference opener on Saturday afternoon. After dropping the doubles point, Elon (7-5, 1-0) battled back to win four of the six singles matches and take the victory. The Wildcats dropped to 3-10 overall, 0-2 in the league.

Elon’s lone doubles victory came at the number one position where seniors Chase Helpingstine and Philip Nemec won their seventh consecutive match with an 8-6 defeat of Schafer and Calum Gee. The duo, ranked 40th in the country, is now 8-1 on the season.

After losses at two and three doubles put the Phoenix in a 1-0 hole to begin singles, Elon’s Alberto Rojas helped the cause with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Gee on court four. Phoenix freshman Philip Meyer also picked a straight set victory, topping Kevin Moore, 6-3, 6-4, at number six. Davidson was victorious on court five, but Elon held a 3-2 advantage when Helpingstine came out with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Arie Hefter at number two.

The final two singles matches went three sets. At the top singles position, Davidson’s Chris Mark managed a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 win over Nemec to force a deciding match on court two. After Silverman and Schafer split the first two sets by identical 6-4 scores, Silverman pulled out the 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win to open league action on a winning note.

Elon will continue SoCon action on the road when it travels to Chattanooga, Tenn. to battle the Mocs on Sunday, March 20 at 1 p.m.