Harding's Conference Domination Ends The Harding Bisons' dream of winning the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Tennis Championship outright was shattered by the crashing serves and volleys of Arkansas Tech , who won the match 6-3 helping them earn a share of the title along with Harding and Southern Arkansas University. The deciding factor in the contest was the consistent playing of Wonder Boys . Coach David Elliott said "We gave it our best shot that's about all we cou ld do. " The singles competition was tie-d at two matches all at one point , with Mike Clayton and Peter Nanton still playing. Both forced their second sets into tie breaking Situations, but Arkansas Tech won both matches, giving them a 4-2 edge going into the doubles play. Wallis and Clayton got the only win for the Bisons in doub les play. Stopping every chance the Bisons had in starting ' a rally , ATU won by 6-3. Thus setting-up an interesting and exciting District 17 tournament. Things looked good for the Bison netters as the 1984 tennis season got underway. The team had 10 returning players, nine of whom were lettermen, from a team that went 20-7 in 1983. That was tough especially since 'everyone in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference had improved over last year. Taking it Easy. Coach David Elliott watches several of his players practice. - photo by Public Relations Office. The season started off slow. Harding had its first two matches cancelled due to snow and cold weather. When it finally warmed up enough the Bisons were ready. The Bisons were 5-4 when conference play began. Harding had an easy time shutting out every team they faced except Southern Arkansas University. The Muleriders gave the Bisons all they could handle, but Harding eventua ll y won 5-4. The teams conference record stood at 6-0 with only one match left. It was against Arkansas Tech UniverSity and it was to be played in Russellville . At the tournament all three, SAU, Tech Tennis Team. Front row: Mays , Nanton , Paul, Thompson , Dismuke, Goodspeed. Back row: Elliott-coach , WalliS, Clayton, Lloyd, Malone, Liuerpool, Wood , Legg. - photo by Public Relations Office . 150 Tennis and Harding, were determined to win. And anyone of the three could win it since Harding had beat SAU 5-4 but lost to Tech 6-3 which in turn had lost to SAU 5-4. It looked like it might go down to the last match before the District 17 championship would be determined. When it was over only three points separated the three, with the Muleriders winning the chance to go on to the NAIA National Tournament. Arkansas Tech finished second and Harding finished in third place. The Bisons still had a successful season ~ a season in which they shared the conference title, had 19 wins and had two players selected to the AII-AIC team. .!.~ Studying the Situation. Gene Paul pays close attention as two opponents warm-up before the start of a match. - photo by Public Relations Office.
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