On March 3, 2026, the Elon men’s tennis team faced off against Florida Gulf Coast at Piedmont Indoor Tennis in Greensboro, resulting in a tough 4-2 loss for Elon. The match, originally slated for the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center, had to be moved indoors due to rain. This marked Elon’s first loss of the season after they had secured the doubles point.
Elon started strong by winning the doubles point, thanks to the efforts of Nick Fisk and Charles Pilet, who defeated Stefan Correa and Pablo Paternostro with a score of 6-3. Oskar Antinheimo and Rafael Ymer also contributed to the doubles success, winning 6-4 against Mika Bunjes and Gustav Hasslegren. However, Veljko Krstic and Nikola Parichkov’s match was halted at 5-5 against Jonathan Baron and Tanner Povey, leaving the doubles excitement hanging in the balance.
Match Highlights
As the singles matches unfolded, Florida Gulf Coast tied the overall score at 1-1 with a victory at No. 4 singles. Oskar Antinheimo fought valiantly but ultimately fell to Pablo Paternostro in a close match that ended 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Nikola Parichkov then stepped up, winning a nail-biter against Jonathan Baron with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (5), bringing the match level at 2-2.
Florida Gulf Coast took the lead once again with a win at No. 1 singles, and the match was clinched when Alonso Roca lost to Mika Bunjes at No. 5 singles with a score of 7-6 (9), 6-2. Nick Fisk’s match at No. 6 against Stefan Correa remained unfinished, but the outcome was clear as Florida Gulf Coast sealed the victory.
Season Overview
This defeat leaves the Elon men’s tennis team with a record of 2-5 for the season, and they are 2-4 in indoor matches, a challenging environment they have had to adapt to, given that six of their seven matches this season have taken place indoors. They currently stand at 1-1 in matches played at Piedmont this spring.
As the season progresses, the team is looking ahead to their next match against Georgia State on March 7, 2026, at 1 p.m. The team will be eager to shake off this loss and regain their momentum.
Elon competes in the NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis, a competitive landscape that includes various conferences and teams across the nation. For more information about NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis and the conferences involved, check out this resource.
Men’s tennis has a rich history in the NCAA, dating back to its early champions in the 19th century. As teams like Elon strive for excellence, they join a long-standing tradition of competition and sportsmanship. To delve deeper into the history and past champions, visit this link.
As the team gears up for the remainder of the season, fans and supporters look forward to watching them bounce back and showcase their talents on the court. With determination and teamwork, the future is bright for the Elon Phoenix!