Clarksville, Ark.-It didn't take long for Head Coach Michael Skimbo to realize the impact Bishop Bass and Todd Turner would have on the men's tennis program.
The defining moment for Skimbo came when the two were freshmen competing in the American Southwest Conference Fall Tournament as doubles partners against powerhouse Texas-Tyler. The duo pulled out what was then considered an upset. Fast-forward three years later, and the two seniors haven't slowed a bit.
"I don't think they realized what they accomplished in that win against Texas-Tyler," said Skimbo.
"They were just kids back then playing tennis. They didn't understand the magnitude it would have on the program. It just showed the culture was going to change that day. Since then we have gained momentum and have succeeded."
They are the two winningest players in program history, both in singles and doubles. Bass, playing No. 2 singles, ranks first in career wins with more than 40 victories. Turner, playing No. 1 singles, has posted the second-most career singles wins with over 30. As doubles partners, the duo has posted an astounding 37-9 career record together going into their senior season.
"Todd is a very intelligent player on the court," said Skimbo. "He does things strategic-wise that others don't think of. He is a great player. And his national Academic All-American award last year speaks for itself. Bishop is very competitive on the court. I think he is better in a match than he is in practice. When the occasion rises, he rises with it."
One secret to their success is the fact that neither take it easy in practice, according to Skimbo.
"They are the type of players that bring it every day," he said. "They don't take a day off of practice. It is a high-intensity effort. They get after it. And they benefit playing each other every day."
It is that type of intensity that has brought about individual accolades and team success. Both have been All-Conference performers in each of their respective seasons. Fueled by Bass and Turner, the men's tennis program has been elevated to among the strongest in the region. Ozarks has been ranked as high as No. 15 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association regional ranking, and the program qualified for conference post-season play in 2014. The duo also received a program first when they were ranked No. 15 in the ITA West region in doubles.
But their success hasn't been just on the court. Bass and Turner are much more than elite athletes, they are two of the top students on campus. Each exemplify the NCAA Division III moniker of students first and athletes second.
Both have demonstrated an unwavering focus in the classroom.
Turner, who owns a 4.0 grade point average as a biology major, has been accepted into University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, while Bass, has a 3.65 grade point average in management and administration, will attend graduate school. In 2014, Turner was only the seventh student-athlete in school history to achieve Academic All-America honors at the national level.
"They recognize the academic opportunities of NCAA Division III and the positive impact it will have on their future career endeavors," said Athletic Director Jimmy Clark. "They are model student-athletes who always show great commitment to academic work, despite extremely busy athletic schedules."
