ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men’s tennis looks to get back to its winning ways on Sunday, April 10, against Furman at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center. The match will begin at 1 p.m.
SAAC FOOD DRIVE
The Elon Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be hosting a food drive as part of the Colonial Athletic Association’s fourth-annual conference-wide Food Drive Challenge from Saturday, April 9 – Friday, April 15. SAAC members will be on hand at tomorrow’s home match to collect nonperishable food items and monetary donations. With the help of Elon’s Campus Kitchen, Elon’s SAAC will donate all food and monetary gifts collected to Allied Churches of Alamance County. Fans who bring food or monetary donations to the game on April 10, baseball will receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win a $25 gift card to Bojangles with the winner announced during the game. Additionally, those that donate will receive a Bojangles Mystery Gift Card, valued between $1-$100 (limited to a first come basis). Those with a Phoenix Card can also donate by allowing their card to be swiped for a monetary donation.
LAST TIME OUT
Elon (14-5) had its seven-match winning streak snapped with a 4-3 loss to College of Charleston on Wednesday, April 6, at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center. Rodrigo Encinas clinched the victory for Charleston at the No. 3 singles position. Leading the way for Elon, Felipe Sarrasague continued his outstanding play winning his eighth consecutive singles match on the top court.
SCOUTING FURMAN
The Paladins enter match with a 9-9 overall record and have won three of its last five matches. Furman defeated UNCG 5-2 on Sunday, April 9, in its last match. They have also picked up wins recently against UCF and The Citadel.
SERIES HISTORY
Sunday marks the 17th meeting between the Phoenix and the Paladins during Elon’s Division I era. Furman holds the slight edge in the all-time series 9-7 but the Phoenix has won the last four meetings. The last time the two teams met was in the 2014 Southern Conference Championship match on April 19, 2014. Elon prevailed with a 4-1 victory in Chattanooga, Tenn. and secured a bid to the 2015 NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships.
HOME COOKING
The Phoenix has impressed on its home court to begin the season. Elon holds a 8-2 record at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center and a 9-2 home record overall. Since the beginning of the 2013 spring season, the Phoenix has achieved a home record of 31-9.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
True freshmen have been carrying a heavy load for the Phoenix so far this season. Taylor Foote (1), Salvador Mijares (12), Felipe Osses-Konig (3), Mario Paccini (10) and Felipe Sarrasague (12) have combined for 38 of the team’s 70 singles wins through 18 matches. Mijares and Sarrasague have a freshman-high 12 singles wins, while Paccini is right behind with 10 victories.
UP NEXT
The Phoenix will close out the 2016 regular season on Saturday, April 16, at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center. Elon hosts East Carolina on Senior Day for a 1 p.m. match.
HEAD COACH MICHAEL LEONARD
Michael Leonard is in his 12th season as Elon’s director of tennis and head men’s tennis coach. Leonard is a five-time winner of the Southern Conference Coach of the Year award and has led the program to five conference championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
2016 CAA TOURNAMENT
Elon was selected to host the 2016 Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships, which will be held April 21-24 at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center and the Burlington Tennis Center. It will mark the first-ever CAA Tournament hosted by the Phoenix and first conference tournament hosted by the program since the 2013 SoCon Tournament.