42-year winning tradition continues In the spring of2005. the Bison tenn is ream earned a SpOt in he RegionaJ Tennis Tournament in Valdosta, Ga. The arrival was shorr·livcd with a quick 5-0 fall May 6 to aldosta State University, which was ranked fifth in the nation. Since the team's beginning in 1963, the Bisons had a combined ecord of 823-320-4 . In 2005, the tcam was no exception, finishing with a 16-7 ecord in the NCAA Division II conference. Harding finished the ~eason ranked third in the GulfSourh West Conference, which as a well-earned fear, David Ellion, head coach, said. Winning the GulfSourh Conference was important because the Bisons wanted to at least have a chance at winning the NCAA Division II Nationals. They needed to first win the Gulf South West Conference, Ellion said. Senior David Ferreiras.lid it was his last chance to win a national :hampionship and considered it an admirable opportunity. "It is such an honor ro go ro the national tournament," Fer~ reira said. "Not many teams get the chance, and it is kind of a reward for playi ng well all season." Harding cook eight players to the tournament, four ofwhich were freshmen. "Nothing compares to nationals at the college level," freshman Parrick Owens said. "It is such a rewarding experience (Q be able to play with athletes of this caliber.'" Playing in {he GulrSouth Conference helped players prepare for nationals. "We play in a tough conference," sophomore Ethan Bryant said. "A lot of the teams in the Gulf South Conference are in the nationals so we kind of have an idea of what we are up againsr." Beneath the stories of national tournaments and winning seasons was another story of consistency and longevity. Harding tennis has been coached by one man over the past 30 years. Elliott had been a man of winning tradition for H arding tennis since the mid-'70s. Elliott had amassed more than 700 victories and had a winning percentage of.738. In the 30 years ofhis coaching career at Harding, Elliott guided players through the tenn is program, has seen only one losing season and continued to influence players. "Coach [Elliorr] has been th rough the rough matches and the easy matches and knows how to handle the teams that are not quite up ro our level and how to compete against (he teams chat are over our level," Bryant said. "He is a real classy guy." .Barkley Terry Hitting the boll, junior Ryan Roberts returns the ball to his opponent during practice Nov. 15. Roberts had an 11 - 15 record for the 2005 spring season. ·Courtesy of S(OIt Goode Sophomore Ethon Bryontthroshes a ball back at his opponent during practice April 4. Bryant had an overall record of 15-9 for the 2005 season. ·Jeff Montgomery men's tennis'';~.
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