Men's Tennis Southern Conference

Phoenix Conclude Play at Duke Invitational

DURHAM, N.C. - Elon juniors Philip Nemec and Chase Helpingstine won their second doubles match of the young season to lead the Phoenix men's tennis team on the final day of the Duke Invitational. Nemec and Helpingstine won two of their three doubles matches during the competition to accumulate 10 points, tied for the most of any doubles duo. Senior Clark Howell and freshman Carlos Arboleda also picked up singles victories on Monday.
 
"This tournament was good for our team," Elon head coach Michael Leonard explained. "It gave us a lot of strong competition and showed us areas we have to improve on if we are to reach our goals this year. Philip and Chase continue to get better in doubles and it showed this weekend."
 
Elon faced opponents from No. 19 Duke, No. 28 North Carolina and No. 62 East Tennessee State during the three-day round robin tournament. Points were awarded to each individual for victories based on the number of position they play in singles and doubles. The singles player and doubles tandem with the most points at the conclusion of the three-day tournament were awarded as champions.
 
Nemec and Helpingstine earned an 8-6 win over Grega Teraz and Charles Bottoni of ETSU at the top doubles position. East Tennessee State's Sander Gille and Jesus Bandres also earned 10 points in doubles and were awarded the doubles crown over Nemec and Helpingstine for being a perfect 3-0 during the tournament.
 
All seven singles matches were hotly contested on the final day. Arboleda won his first match of the spring with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Ofir Weintraub at number five. In the seventh position, Howell topped Jason Ramski, 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (12-10). Nemec nearly knocked off Bandres, the 51st ranked player in the country, falling in three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Elon's Eric Turner also played a three-setter but fell, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to Juan Ramirez.
 
Elon will get its dual season underway on Saturday, January 23 when it returns to Durham to face Duke at 6 p.m.
 
Doubles
Pts
5       Philip Nemec/Chase Helpingstine (Elon) def. Grega Teraz/Charles Bottoni (ETSU) 8-6
4       No. 52 Sander Gille/Jesus Bandres (ETSU) def. Alberto Rojas/Eric Turner (Elon) 8-4
3       Daniel Isaza/Robin Akser (ETSU) def. Clark Howell/Thomas Darling (Elon) 8-1

Singles
Pts
10     No. 82 Grega Teraz (ETSU) def. Chase Helpingstine (Elon) 6-4, 6-3
9       No. 51 Jesus Bandres (ETSU) def. Philip Nemec (Elon) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
8       Juan Ramirez (ETSU) def. Eric Turner (Elon) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
7       Jeremy Bonnevalle (ETSU) def. Alberto Rojas (Elon) 6-4, 6-4
6       Carlos Arboleda (Elon) def. Ofir Weintraub (ETSU) 6-4, 6-4
5       Daniel Isaza (ETSU) def. Thomas Darling (Elon) 6-4, 6-4
4       Clark Howell (Elon) def. Jason Ramski (ETSU) 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (12-10)