Agate

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men’s tennis team opened up Southern Conference play with a 6-1 decision over The Citadel on Sunday, March 3, at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.

Elon (4-3, 1-0 SoCon) swept doubles and won all but one singles match to secure the win, its third straight victory overall.

The 26th-ranked doubles team of Cameron Silverman and Stefan Fortmann helped the maroon and gold secure the doubles point, as the tandem defeated David Orces and Oliver Dedding, 8-2, at No. 1. Juan Madrid/Jordan Kaufman and Brian Kowalski/Robert Lindgren were also victorious in doubles action versus the Bulldogs.

Kaufman helped Elon jump out to a 2-0 lead at No. 4 singles, topping Alex Howle in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.

Madrid quickly dispatched Elliott Sperr at No. 6 to give Elon a 3-0 lead, coming up with a 6-4, 6-0, result.

Silverman, ranked 26th in the nation in singles, clinched the match for the Phoenix at No. 1 singles, topping Orces in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1. Silverman has won three straight singles matches.

Fortmann extended Elon’s lead with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5 (7-3), decision at No. 2 singles against The Citadel’s Dillon Berkabile. Fortmann improves to 4-2 on the year. He is tied with Silverman and Kaufman with a team-best four victories this season.

Lindgren gave Elon its sixth point of the match at No. 3 singles, claiming a 7-6, 6-4, win against Peter Bleach.

Elon returns to action on March 6 for a non-conference match versus Radford.