BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb men's tennis picked up a big home win Saturday afternoon, taking down South Carolina State, 6-1, in a dominant non-conference effort.

"We beat a very good and talented South Carolina State team today," said head coach Mike Griffith. "This is a team we only have beaten once before. That shows how we are improving and the doubles was the most complete effort we have had yet.  

"We are at Wofford on Thursday so another test awaits to make us better. I love this team and their fight!"

Gardner-Webb picked up the doubles point to get things started, with the dynamic tandem of Millen Hurrion and Maximilian Scholl taking down Juan Ramriez and Marcelo Rodriguez by a 6-4 score.

Stefano Puga and Breno Plentz followed with a 7-6 (5) win over Aleksa Daskalovic and Selim Ben Ali Ben Ali to secure the point.

Scholl got things off to a great start in singles action, whipping Ramirez 6-1, 6-2 – but the visiting Bulldogs got a win by Bonifacio at No. 5 singles to pull within 2-1 on the scoreboard.

Plentz allowed Gardner-Webb to increase its cushion with a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles and Hurrion sealed the win with a 6-4, 6-4 win himself at No. 2 singles. Ross Gilbert (6-3, 4-6, 10-4) won at No. 4 singles and Johan Fors (6-2, 1-6, 6-4) won at No. 6 singles to cap a strong day for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Next up for Gardner-Webb is a trip to nearby Wofford on Thursday, March 7. The match will begin at 3:00 pm in Spartanburg, S.C.


Doubles
Hurrion/Scholl (GWU) d. Ramirez/Rodriguez (SCSU); 6-4
Puga/Plentz (GWU) d. Daskalovic/Ben Ali (SCSU) 7-6 (5)


Singles
1. Scholl (GWU) d. Ramirez (SCSU); 6-1, 6-2
2. Hurrion (GWU) d. Daskalovic (SCSU); 6-4, 6-4
3. Plentz (GWU) d. Rodriguez (SCSU); 6-4, 6-4
4. Gilbert (GWU) d. Gorgun (SCSU); 6-3, 4-6, 10-4
5. Bonifacio (SCSU) d. Harris (GWU); 6-0, 6-2
6. Fors (GWU) d. Ben Ali (SCSU); 6-2, 1-6, 6-4