During his 19th and final season as head coach, Lion Hall of Fame coach Bill Crabtree and the 1978 ETSU tennis team won the fifth national title in university history and the second in program history. The team also won its 12th Lone Star Conference championship in 15 years.

Led by First Team All-Americans Bruce Gibson, Jeff Gibson and Steve Starleaf, the Lions won the LSC Championship over Stephen F. Austin. Bruce and Jeff Gibson defeated Angelo State in the LSC Doubles Championship and Jeff Gibson also won the singles title. The Gibson brothers both were named First Team All-LSC.

The Lions headed to nationals and beat Atlantic Christian by three points to earn their second national title under Crabtree. No. 1 Seed Bruce and Jeff Gibson outlasted No. 3 seed John Mattke and Paul Holback of Gustavus Adolphus, coming from behind to win in three sets to claim the doubles championship.