BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.- Gardner-Webb tabbed four singles and two doubles wins in this afternoon's match versus Big South Conference Opponent Presbyterian College at the Webb Tennis Complex.
The win this afternoon was the first Conference victory for GWU who are 1-5 on the year in matches against Conference opponents and changed their overall record to 7-8. Presbyterian with the loss moves to 12-7 on the year and losing today's match also moved their conference record to 1-5.
In doubles play PC earned the first victory of the day as McBride/deLoach defeated GWU's Sacko/Stanciu 8-3 at No. 1 doubles. Garnder-Webb responded quickly though earning the win at No. 2 doubles where the team of Magnusson/Mixon defeated Presbyterian's Nuttal/Andrews by a score of 8-4.
It would all come down to match at No. 3 doubles to decide who would claim the point. Gardner-Webb went with the team of White/Rieckmann versus Utberg/Conze. White/Rieckmann started off well but ended up trailing 6-5 late in the match. With the match in the balance White/Rieckmann won the next three games in a row to claim the doubles point for Gardner-Webb by a final score of 8-6.
Gardner-Webb utilized the momentum from doubles to win three singles matches in a row claiming their first Conference win of the season. Sophomore Mary Walker Mixon playing at No. 6 singles defeated Antonia Conze with ease by scores of 6-1, 6-0, while fellow Teodora Stanciu also won in straight sets over Madison Utberg 6-2, 6-0 in the No. 5 singles slot.
Junior Rokia Sacko would finish next clinching the match for Gardner-Webb with solid play at the No. 1 singles position winning confidently 6-1, 6-3 over Brittany Nuttall.
Gardner-Webb freshman Stina Magnusson and Sarah Rieckmann would struggle this afternoon as both lost their matches 6-4, 6-2, at the No. 2 and 3 singles positions respectively. Magnusson fell to Claire-Mitchell Andrews and Rieckmann dropped her match to Caroline deLoach.
The Runnin' Bulldogs would finish the match strong though as sophomore Catherine White collected her 11th singles victory of the year coming from down a set, 6-1, to defeat Sarah McBride 6-4, 10-2 in a match tiebreak.
Gardner-Webb will look to build on this afternoon's win as they head into their next match against fellow Big South member Liberty University. The women's tennis team will host the Lady Flames at the Webb Tennis Complex this Saturday, April 4 at 2:00 p.m.
