Elon University men’s tennis coach Michael Leonard and lone senior Eric Turner might not have the same favorite moment of Turner’s career at Elon, but they both agree it’s been quite a run.
Coach Leonard remembers a match two years ago in the 2010 Southern Conference tournament against undefeated, top-seeded College of Charleston. Turner went up against Charleston’s Tom Delme. According to Coach Leonard, on paper, Delme was supposed to beat Turner. But that wasn’t quite the case. Turner went out and beat Delme 6-3, 6-1 to take the match in straight sets.
“He set the tone for the day,” Leonard said. “We upset the number one team, and he was a big reason for that.”
Elon went on to lose the tournament championship the following day to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Though Turner remembers knocking off the top team in the SoCon Tournament, he recalls a moment that ends on a much better note.
“Winning the regular season conference championship at (Appalachian State) last year (was the best),” Turner said. “Just celebrating after with the team, it was awesome.”
Turner’s career at Elon might have started a little late, as he spent his freshman year at North Carolina State University, but it’s certainly been a memorable one.
Dating back to last season, Turner started playing doubles matches with current sophomore partner Cam Silverman. Together, the two have been a force for the Phoenix. Over the two-year span, Turner and Silverman’s record together is 14-1 in conference, with the only loss coming this year on March 17 against College of Charleston.
“It’s a lot of fun playing with Eric,” Silverman said. “We’re very close friends off the court. We live together, so we don’t really butt heads about anything, so it’s very relaxing.”
Though Turner has battled injury this season, he is a captain for the team, and a leader both on and off the court.
“He’s been in more of a coaching leadership role lately,” Leonard said. “Of course he’d rather be on the court playing, but he’s still a big part of the team and he’s still trying to help these guys on the court. He’s kind of our volunteer coach when he’s not playing, and his experience is very valuable to the this team because we are so young.”
Turner also sees his role on the team as a leader.
“I just try to provide leadership since I’m the only senior on the team, and I just try to set a good example for the guys really,” Turner said.
Though Turner has been out for the last two weeks, he should be ready to go for the conference tournament as he looks for a strong finish to his career at Elon.
“He’s a good guy,” Leonard said. “He’s just easygoing and the guys like him. He’s kind of a fun loving guy that the guys really respond to.”