Gardner-Webb Has Good Showing in Fall Tourney
September 19, 2007 | Men's Tennis
The Gardner-Webb men's and women's team traveled to Spartanburg,
SC this past weekend to take part in the USC Upstate Fall Tennis
Tournament. Gardner-Webb was one of five schools represented at the
tournament. Wofford, Campbell, Presbyterian College, and USC
Upstate rounded out the lineup.
Men's single action was divided into three classes; draw A, B and
C.
Gardner-Webb's Rafael Altmeyer had a good Draw A first round win
against Arnaldo Lovera of USC Upstate (7-6, 0-6, 11-9). With the
win he advanced to the quarterfinals to company fellow Bulldogs
Evgeny Slesarev and Andrew Veeder. Although all three Bulldogs were
unable to advance to the semifinals, they all showed great
potential in the early seaon.
The Bulldogs had two representatives in the Draw B class. Taylor
Ferrier advanced to the quarterfinals with a win over Wofford's
Paul Bartholomy 6-4, 3-6, 10-7. In the quarterfinals he was
defeated 6-0, 6-3. Slesarev fell in the first round 7-5, 6-3.
Gardner-Webb saw two of its Bulldogs advance to the quarterfinals
of Draw C. Both Josh Ray fell in the quaterfinals 6-1, 6-3 while
fellow Bulldogs Jamie Lawlor proved victorious 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, and
moved into the finals. Lawlor put up a good battle but fell 6-4,
6-3 in the final match.
The Bulldogs regrouped in the Draw A Consolation matches with
Veeder winning three matches and Slesarev winning two. Grant
VanRensburg also did a great job and won three matches in the Draw
B Consolation matches. Also, Ryan Bernthal went on to win the Draw
C Consolation matches by fighting off match points in the
finals.
The men's doubles competition was split into two classes; Draw A
and B.
In Draw A play Veeder and VanRensburg won their first round match
8-6, but were unable to win their quaterfinals match and were
defeated 8-3.
Draw B play was dominated by the Bulldogs. Slesarev/Altmeyer and
Ray/Bernthal each won their quarterfinals and semifinals matches to
advance to an all-Bulldogs finals. In the final match Ray and
Bernthat were able to edge out Slesarev and Altmeyer 8-6.
