ELON, N.C. – The Elon men’s tennis team’s three-match winning streak came to a halt as the Phoenix dropped a hard-fought 5-2 decision to the University of Texas at San Antonio in non-conference action at The Jimmy Powell Tennis Center on Wednesday afternoon. Nationally ranked at 58th last week, the Roadrunners improved to 6-7 on the season while the Phoenix fell to 6-7.
Due to an injury to senior Eric Turner, Elon was forced to mix up its doubles pairs. Competing at number one for the first time this season, freshmen Stefan Fortmann and Jordan Kaufman lost a tight 8-6 match to Yannick Junger and Pedro Zanotelli. Sophomore Cameron Silverman and Dan Sablik paired for the first time all season, falling 8-5 to Martin Ayala and Tyler Brown on court two. At number three, UTSA’s Hugo Guanais and Joel Rubio topped Christopher Geaslen and Andrew Prince, 8-2, as the visitors swept the doubles matches to take the early 1-0 advantage.
The Roadrunners looked like they might run away with the match after taking singles wins at number three and number six in straight sets. Without Turner at number three and Juan Madrid at four, Elon’s lineup was significantly altered. Elon finally got on the board after Silverman battled back for a 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 victory over Junger at the top spot. Silverman, the reigning Southern Conference Player of the Week, has now won six straight matches.
The Phoenix made it 3-2 when Prince topped Rubio, 7-6, 6-4, on court four. The final two singles matches needed three sets to determine. Fortmann won the opening set against Brown, 6-4, but then dropped a 6-1 decision to force a deciding set. Down 4-0, Fortmann pulled to within 4-3, before Brown pulled out the 6-4 set to clinch the match for UTSA.
David Kelleher closed the match with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 defeat of Elon’s Carlos Arboleda at number five to make the final 5-2 margin.
Elon will begin a three-match road swing at College of Charleston on Saturday, March 17 at 10:30 a.m.