CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The fall tournament season came to a close for the Men's Tennis team this weekend at the 2021 Metrolina Open hosted by Olde Racquet Providence Club. The most significant performance of the event came from Victor Putter and Chrisjan Van Wyk as they were crowned the doubles champions.
 
"It is so good to play a tournament and have a champion crowned, because that is why we play, to win!" said Head Coach Mike Griffith. "Our doubles were solid, but we still need to do better in our singles play."
 
Gardner-Webb's pairs for doubles dominated the competition with each pair collecting at least two wins. The team finished with a collective record of 10-3. Putter and Van Wyk highlighted the event with their 4-0 record. The pair won the championship on a 6-4, 6-7(5), [10-6] decision.
 
The other pairings for the tournament were Cathal Butler with John Spring, Sebastian Harris and Connor Enslin, and Alex Lepine and Numa Lemieux-Monette. The latter two of the three pairs each ended at the top of their consolation brackets.
 
In singles, the team finished at 17-12. Harris, Lepine, Putter, and Butler each made impressive runs through the field to go 3-1 apiece. Lemieux-Monette and Van Wyk finished the event with two wins each, and Enslin had one win in singles at the tournament.  
 
"Overall, I am pleased with our results this fall," said Griffith. "I feel we are further along than ever in our doubles and doubles combinations which puts us in a good position for the spring."  
 
Gardner-Webb will play their first match of the season on January 14 at Charlotte and have their first home match on the 16 against Kennesaw State.