Oldest Record in the Book: Asbill is #1 at No. 2

This is the 12th in a series of stories about the oldest records at Harding University. Today's record is from the men's tennis program, which began at Harding in the 1960s. By the early 1970s, match scoring followed the basic format that is still in effect today.

Teams played three doubles matches followed by six singles matches to determine the team winner. For many years, each match counted as one point, and the first team to win five matches clinched the team victory. Today, the doubles portion counts as one point and each singles match counts as a point. The first team to four points earns the team victory.

Before each match, coaches submit a lineup with the three doubles teams listed in order of ability and six singles players listed in order of ability. The system is designed to have each team's No. 1 singles player meet the other team's top player and on down the lineup.

The oldest single-season Harding record still on the books comes at the No. 2 singles spot in 1977 where sophomore Kyle Asbill won 15 matches. Forty-three years later, no Harding player has ever won more matches in a single season at No. 2 singles.

Asbill, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, went 15-4 at No. 2 as part of a 17-5 record in dual matches (matches with the nine-point scoring system). He also won four of his six tournament matches to post a 21-7 record for the 1976-77 season, tied with Dennis Sanders for the most on the team. Three of Asbill's tournament wins came at the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference tournament, earning him the AIC No. 2 singles championship.

Over three seasons, Asbill compiled a 45-17 overall singles record. Other than his 15 No. 2 singles wins in the 1976-77 season, he never won again at No. 2, losing the only other match he played in that spot.

Asbill won 33 of his 61 doubles matches, playing 29 times at No. 1 doubles.

Harding compiled a solid 22-6 record in 1976-77 season, David Elliott's third year as head coach, posting three winning streaks of five matches or more.

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