Elon’s Fortmann Named SoCon Men’s Tennis Freshman of the Year

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Elon rookie Stefan Fortmann was selected as the 2012 Southern Conference Men’s Tennis Freshman of the Year and joined Cameron Silverman, Eric Turner and Jordan Kaufman on all-conference teams. Fortmann is the second consecutive Elon player to earn top rookie honors after Silverman was honored last season. Postseason balloting was conducted by the league’s head coaches who were not allowed to vote for their own players.

Fortmann had a stellar freshman campaign, posting a 15-6 singles mark at the number two position. The Wartburg, South Africa native went 8-2 against conference opponents and has won his last four matches heading into the league tournament. Fortmann joined Silverman at the top doubles position late in the year and the duo finished the regular season with an unbeaten 5-0 mark. Fortmann was also named to the all-freshman team.

Silverman picked up first team accolades in both singles and doubles after concluding the regular season with a 15-7 overall singles record, including a 9-1 mark in league action. The sophomore’s lone conference loss came to SoCon Player of the Year Orcun Seyrek from UNCG. Silverman posted a stretch of eight straight victories midway through the year. He also teamed with senior Eric Turner to earn first-team doubles recognition as the pair went 8-6 on the season and 5-1 in SoCon matches despite the fact that Turner battled a nagging injury all season.

Kaufman joined Fortmann on the all-freshman team as Elon was the only team to boast two individuals on the six-member squad. Kaufman began the year at number five singles, but moved all the way up to number three during the season. The rookie from Armonk, N.Y., was an impressive 8-2 against league foes and won 12 matches in his first year.

The men’s tennis team will open the 2012 Southern Conference Tournament with first-round action on Thursday afternoon. The sixth-seeded Phoenix will battle the 11th-seeded Citadel Bulldogs at 2 p.m. in Charleston, S.C.