Elmira College (8-8, 2-3 E8) vs. Hartwick College (1-6, 1-4 E8)
Sunday, April 24, 2016 | 1:00 P.M. | Murray Athletic Center – Pine Valley, NY
 
Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's tennis team returns to the courts this Sunday, April 24th, when the Soaring Eagles welcome Hartwick College to the Murray Athletic Center for an Empire 8 bout. Sunday's E8 clash is set for 1:00 p.m.  
 
Last Time Out
Elmira snapped a three-match skid in its most recent match with a 5-4 road win over Alfred University. The Saxons claimed two of the three doubles points to take a 2-1 lead into singles action. Yaniv Kogan '18 and Chris Konow '18 picked up the lone victory in doubles, one that was decided in a tiebreaker, 9-8 (3). Thankfully, Elmira was able to rally in the singles matches, earning wins at the second, third, fifth, and sixth positions. Kogan earned the match-deciding win for Elmira at the five-spot, prevailing in a third-set tiebreaker 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5). The win over the Saxons was Elmira's second of the season.
 
Record Watch
Several Soaring Eagles are in the hunt to break and set new program records this year. There is a tight race for the most total wins between Satchal Waters '16 and Austin Mansell '16, as just one win separates the two classmates for the top spot. Mansell is also battling for the single-season record for singles victories with Patrick Tracey '18, as the duo sit on 11 wins during the 2015-16 campaign. Additionally, Kogan and Konow are tied for the single-season record in doubles victories with nine apiece.
 
Program Win Record on the Line
Since 2000, Elmira's most successful seasons have occurred over the last three years. The Soaring Eagles posted back-to-back eight-win seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15, the most victories the program has totaled in over 16 years. The 2015-16 edition of the Purple and Gold has racked up eight wins this season, giving this year's team the chance to claim the top spot in the Elmira College record book.
 
Scouting Hartwick
The Hawks are 1-6 this season, with their lone countable win coming against Utica on April 16th; Hartwick collected a 6-3 win five days ago against SUNY Delhi, who does not count towards any NCAA affiliated institution's win-loss record. John Talbot is the team's win leader with four total victories this season; three coming in singles and one in doubles. Talbot is 1-0 at first singles, but has seen the majority of his time at the second spot, where he is 2-4 on the year.
 
All-Time Series
Elmira and Hartwick have met 18 times since the 2000 spring season. The Hawks own a decisive edge in the all-time series at 13-5. However, recent history has been more favorable for the Soaring Eagles. Elmira has won three straight entering Sunday's match and is 4-1 in its last five meetings with the Hawks. Hartwick's last win in the series dates back to the spring of 2012.
 
Farewell Coach Pontius
Hartwick College Head Coach Andy Pontius recently announced that she will retire following the 2016 season. Pontius has spent 17 seasons at the helm of the Hartwick tennis programs, guiding the men to eight conference tournaments during her tenure, and in the process earning the Empire 8 Men's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2004.
 
Looking Ahead
Elmira will enjoy nearly a week off of competition, before facing Route 13 rival Ithaca College on Saturday, April 30th. The opening serve is set for 12:00 p.m. at the Wheeler Tennis Courts in Ithaca, NY.