BOILING SPRINGS N.C.- The Gardner-Webb University men's tennis team snapped a two match losing streak this afternoon with a big win over non-conference opponent Limestone College, defeating the Saints 7-0 at the Webb Tennis Complex.
The win for GWU improves their record to 7-9 overall and evens them at a 6-6 non-conference record for the year, while Limestone now sits at 6-5 for their season.
Gardner-Webb put the pressure on early by sweeping doubles play adn earning the first team point of the match. Ernest Alberch and Nikita Zverkov won 8-0 at No. 1 doubles, while Korhan Ates teamed up with freshman Adam Schmidt at No. 2 doubles to win 8-2 with fellow freshman Yaroslav Prostakov combining talents with Benjamin Kaszas at No. 3 doubles to complete the sweep of doubles with an 8-0 win.
The Runnin' Bulldogs continued their winning ways in singles where they would also sweep all six matches. Alberch was the first to win for GWU defeating Stefano Soares 6-1, 6-0 at No. 3 singles. Kaszas would follow soon after claiming the victory at No. 1 singles with the 6-2, 6-2 win over Luka Stanec.
At No. 2 singles Zverkov would take the match in straight sets over Lucas Giomski 6-2, 6-0. Red-shirt freshman Paul Hogan, making only his second singles appearance of the season, defeated Giacomo Campus from Limestone 6-3, 6-2 at No. 6 singles.
Rounding out Gardner-Webb's lineup today was junior Jonathan Walker, who claimed his second singles win this season in four appearances, defeating Tom Wagemans 6-4, 6-2 at No. 5 singles and stalwart senior Brendan Dempsey after winning the first set 6-4, would beat Benji Lascari with a tight second set score 7-6(6).
Gardner-Webb also had a few members play individual matches this afternoon. Freshman Michael Perry played very well against George Green in a singles match today defeating him 6-4, 6-4, and sophomore Will Haas played with Hogan in doubles where they fought hard but fell 8-4 in the end.
Gardner-Webb will hope to use today's win to spur them on as they head back into Conference play this weekend hosting Liberty University this Saturday, March 28. The match will be at the Webb Tennis Complex and is set to commence with doubles play at 11:00 a.m.
