Agate

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Elon University men’s tennis team captured its seventh straight win in impressive fashion on Sunday, March 24, as the Phoenix defeated 57th-ranked Samford, 5-2, at the Samford Tennis Center. Elon improves to 11-4 overall and remains unbeaten in Southern Conference play with a perfect 6-0 mark.
 
“This was a great weekend for our team,” said Elon head coach Michael Leonard. “To get two quality wins on the road and indoors shows the kind of determination this group of guys has. Juan [Madrid] and Jordan [Kaufman] winning the doubles point for us was important and gave us momentum into singles. I’m proud of our team and look forward to getting back out on the courts next weekend.”
 
The 34th-ranked duo of Cameron Silverman and Stefan Fortmann won the first of two tightly-contested doubles matches for the Phoenix to help the maroon and gold jump out to an early 1-0 edge. Silverman/Fortmann defeated Samford’s 52nd-ranked team of Garrison Laduca and Zac Dunkle, 9-7, at No. 1. Elon’s Juan Madrid and Jordan Kaufman clinched the point for the Phoenix at No. 3, topping Samford’s Alex Sajonz and Fares Kilani in a thriller, 9-8 (8-6).
 
The back and forth battle between the Phoenix and Bulldogs carried over to singles play, as 5-of-6 matches went three sets.
 
Fortmann was victorious for the Phoenix at No. 2 singles against Samford’s Elliott Barnwell, as the sophomore registered a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (8-5), decision to help extend Elon’s lead. Fortmann improves to 11-3 on the year.
 
Rookie Robert Lindgren grinded out a three-set win at No. 3 singles against Samford’s Fares Kilani, battling to a 6-1, 6-7 (3-8), 6-2, decision for the Phoenix. Lindgren improves to 8-7 overall and 5-1 against league competition.
 
Kaufman played the lone singles match of the day that ended in straight sets, defeating Sajonz, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 4. Kaufman improves to 8-5 on the year with the win.
 
Madrid won a thriller for the Phoenix at No. 6 that ended in a super tiebreaker against Laduca. Madrid rebounded for a 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (12-10), win for Elon to improve to 7-5 overall and 5-0 against conference opponents.
 
Elon returns to action on March 30-31 in Murfreesboro, Tenn., for the Middle Tennessee State University Shootout. The field includes Illinois State, Troy, South Alabama, Georgia State, DePaul, Florida Atlantic and host MTSU.