..... I Bisons reach Nationals for 17th successive year The Bison tennis team began their- 1998 season with a great performance by winning six matches in a rowand, with great results from all the players, they were able to ach ieve a 16-8 record. The Bisons added three new players to the team during the fall, including two freshmen - Igor Tamindzija from Yugoslavia and Seth Bullington from Edinboro, Pa. The third new player, Orlando Martinez, was a transfer from the University ofTexas in Tyler. These three players, who have different styles of hitting the ball, also have theabilitytoperform on the court. They joined a team with a competitive focus and a history of Quality performance. The team has Qualified for the Nationa l Tournament for the last 17 years. "The 1997 Qualification to Nationalswas especially gratifying since it was our first year in a higher division of play in the NCAA," Coach David Elliott said. The opportunity to Qualify for Nationals came in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) Tournament. Although the Bisons lost to Central Oklahoma University in the first round of Nationals , Elliott was pleased with their effort in the match. "The guys were very close to beating Central Oklahoma, wh ich is in the top 10 in the nation. The score was 4-5," Elliott said. Elliott said that an extra week of practice between the Lone Star Conference Tournament and Nationals might have given the * Jilll-Stars Academic All Conference Andrew Garner Darren Wade Senior Arturo Rodriguez reaches high to return an opponent's serve. Rodriguez was the Bison IS number one player this year. Bisons the edge they needed to win that first-round match. "It was hard for the guys after the long week they had at the Lone Star Tournament to come back and play Central Oklahoma," Elliott said. Elliott said the team's best momentum came in matches just before the Nationals . "I was really proud of my players, of the effort the guys put into the game," he said. Senior Arturo Rodriguez, a first team All-American in 1996, had a great year in 1997. He ended the season ranked in the top 30 in the nation in NCAA Division II. Rodriguez and senior Guillermo Hernandez led the team in doubles, finishing the season in the top 12 in the nation. Team members say they consider Hernandez the best doubles player that Harding has had the last four years. "I like playing singles, but I really enjoy and have more fun playing doubles, " Hernandez said. Hernandez enjoyed his teammates too. "We get along very we ll ," he said. "We are friends and that helps us to have more confidence on the tennis court." Elliott also noted the sense of togetherness on the team. "They like each other and there isn 't any jealousy among them," he said. "They supported each other as a united team. It was the best tennis team I've workedwith in Harding's history of tennis." - Julieta Gil MEN'S T ENNIS 215 •
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