40 Endless Activities - Harding University Digital Archives

[ Tennis Bison tennis teamaccomplished muchDistrict champions, Alerunners-up, and a camaraderiethat lasted year-round.Those things, and many more,were what made the 1989 tennisseason special.According to many of theteam members, the unity thatthe team members displayedduring the 1989 season waswhat made it such a success."We were very close. Weblended together really welland we all liked each other,"said team member Lee Mackey.Coach David Elliot said, "Wehad an excellent season withthe highlights being named theDistrict 17 champions, AICrunners-up, and ending up 25thin the national tournament.Their list of accomplishmentsdidn't stop there, however.Richie Roberts, sophomore,and freshman Ernesto Tovarwere named to the All-AlCmen's tennis team, LeonardoBravo was given honorablemention, Coach Elliot wasnamed the NAIA District 17Coach of the Year, and theyended the year with a conferencerecord of 20 wins and 7losses, and a non-conference recordof six and one.Also, Harding had four all­District 17 players, they wereTovar, Roberts, Bravo, and ArturoMartinez. Martinez andGregg Barden also made theacademic All-Americans. Bardenwon the IntercollegiateCoaches Association GraduateScholarship.Not only did most of theteam members have tough classschedules, they also had atough tennis schedule to keepup with."We played some toughschools, like University of Arkansasin Little Rock and OralRoberts University, which werenon-conference schools buthelped us get ready for ourharder conference matches/'said Todd Gilliam.Through a successful seasonand many academic accomplishments,the 1989 tennisteam made their list of endlessaccomplishments.- Tanya AtkinsonON THE MARK. Todd Gilliam, junior,positions himself to volleythe ball back to this opponent.Harding's tennis team placed secondin the Ale conference. -Photoby Sharon Bowles.' Men's Tennis 63