by Ashlan Williams | May 14, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
With the season wrapped up and the the school year coming to a close, the Bisons say goodbye as they send off three graduating seniors: Mario Hernandez, Joe McArdle, and James Murrell Hernandez has spent 3½ years at Lipscomb and on the Bisons tennis team. A senior political science major from Vancouver, Canada, and captain for this season’s team, Hernandez made a name for himself in the Lipscomb tennis program. “Mario was nominated the team’s captain at the end of the fall because of his strong leadership on and off the court,” men’s assistant coach Mike Sherman said. “He was the perfect example of being a great ambassador for the Bisons, carrying himself with class and honor at all times. Because the guys respected him, he was able to effectively lead the team to the conference tournament. “On top of this, his drive to succeed motivated other team members to push themselves beyond their expectations. Mario will be able to use his attitude of leadership and humility to affect every one he meets in the future. I expect he will be a great leader in whatever industry he pursues.” Hernandez will graduate in December after completing his final semester at Lipscomb. Following his graduation, he plans to tend the States’ Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. When reflecting on his career as a Bison, Hernandez said he is proud to have helped the program improve. “I just loved being a part of the movement to improve the Lipscomb tennis program in all areas,” Hernandez said. “When I came in as a freshman, we didn’t really get any...
by Ashlan Williams | Apr 19, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
Freshman Oliver Strecker was named to the Atlantic Sun All-Conference First Team on Tuesday. The second semester transfer from Auburn University is the first Bison to ever receive first-team honors. Freshman David Salazar also received honors, earning a spot on the A-Sun’s All-Freshman team. Head coach Andrew Harris said both players were well deserving of their honors. “Both Oliver Strecker and David Salazar deserve a tremendous amount of credit this year,” Harris said. “They were both put in difficult situations as freshmen but, obviously, have shown great strength competing in one of the strongest tennis conferences in the country.” Strecker, who is originally from Gemmingen, Germany, finished the season 11-6 overall, 5-5 in the A-Sun, spending the entire season at the No. 1 spot. “Oliver has been playing No. 1 singles since the beginning of the spring,” Harris said. “He transferred here from Auburn, which has been helpful for him this year, because he has seen the competition at this level and understands what it takes to be successful. “We are looking for even stronger things from him next season stepping more into a leadership role. This summer and next fall will be critical for his development.” Spending time at both No. 2 and No. 3, Salazar posted a 9-8 overall record and finished 6-4 in the A-Sun. “Salazar has been playing primarily between No. 2 and No. 3 singles this spring and has been a great warrior on the court,” Harris said. “Everyone I talk to says they enjoy watching Salazar compete and the way he fights for every point. He is a true grinder in the tennis...
by Ashlan Williams | Apr 15, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
The Bisons are in DeLand, Fla., as the No. 6 seed in the 2011 Atlantic Sun Men’s Tennis Championships, where they were set to face No. 3 seed Campbell University in today’s first-round action. The trip marks the first time in school history the Bisons (7-10 overall, 4-6 A-Sun) have earned a top-6 seed in the conference tournament. The Bisons are looking to post their first post-season victory. The Bisons last saw their first-round opponent on April 2, when they fell to the Camels 6-1. Head coach Andrew Harris said the Bisons will need to start out strong in doubles to get out of the first round. “Anytime you are in a conference championship like this, the doubles point is extremely critical,” Harris said. “Once the singles matches are completed, they stop all remaining matches.” Harris said the Bisons also need to vamp up their singles play as well as their mindset. “Honestly, we have not played at the level in singles the last few matches that we have become accustomed to seeing in the spring,” Harris said. “The guys understand that they don’t have to play unbelievably to win, but they understand they need to compete at a higher level to have success (today). “These guys have been working hard all year long, and they will give themselves the best opportunity possible to be successful.” Campbell finished the regular season 16-4 overall and 7-3 in the A-Sun. The Camels also boast the A-Sun’s player of the year, Senior Davy Sum, who unanimously won the title. Freshman Fernando Guillen also earned the honor of freshman of the year, while Dominik...
by Ashlan Williams | Apr 8, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
Friends, family, food and tennis– the makings of a perfect Saturday afternoon on the Lipscomb campus. From 4-6 p.m. Saturday, April 9, the Lipscomb Racquet Club will host its second annual Tennis Block Party at the Huston-Marsh-Griffith Tennis Center. The Lipscomb tennis program will host the free block party that is open to students and members of the community. Head coach Andrew Harris said the event will be open to all ages and levels of ability. “One of the great things about the sport of tennis is that, no matter the age, anyone can participate,” Harris said. “We will have clinics for kids from 4-7 years old all the way up through adults. Beginners, intermediates, and advanced players are welcome to come out.” There will be prizes and giveaways throughout the afternoon as well as free refreshments. Harris said after a positive turnout last year, he hopes to see another big group on Saturday. “Last year we had over 200 people from the community come enjoy the festivities, and we are looking forward to another big turnout this year as well to come and see the Lipscomb Racquet Club,” Harris said. The block party will follow Lipscomb’s men’s and women’s tennis teams’ matches against Atlantic Sun rival Belmont in the Battle of the Boulevard. Match play will begin at 10 a.m., and party participants are encouraged to come early and support the...
by Ashlan Williams | Apr 8, 2011 | Sports
Talent will be tested, conditioning challenged and heart determined Saturday, when the Bisons and Lady Bisons host Atlantic Sun rival, Belmont University, in the Battle of the Boulevard at the Huston-Marsh-Griffith Tennis Center. “This weekend is going to tell us a lot about this program moving forward into next year,” Lipscomb head coach Andrew Harris said. “Both teams have the opportunity to break through into unknown territory.” Both teams are coming off tough losses to Campbell and are ready to close out the season with a bang in their final regular season match of the year. The Lady Bisons were shut out by Campbell last weekend, and their record slipped to 2-7. With Belmont holding the same record, the Lady Bisons have a strong chance at posting their third conference win of the season. “With the ladies, if we are able to come through and beat Belmont this would allow us to finish with three conference wins this spring,” Harris said. “That would be a school record for our women’s team.” Harris said the Lady Bisons are definite contenders to make school history due to their familiarity with the Belmont roster. “What is great going into this match is that many of our ladies played against the Belmont players throughout the fall in the University of Memphis tournament and the Vanderbilt Tournament,” Harris said. “So we are all familiar with one another and I think it will be one of the more exciting matches here all season.” The Lady Bisons fell to Belmont last season 5-2. On the men’s side, the Bisons closed out last weekend with a 6-1...
