BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb won their dramatic, thrilling conference opener behind
Elin Hellberg's win in the #3 singles match. This marks the fourth 4-3 decision for the team this season, with two victories and two defeats.
"All the girls fought hard and it was a great collegiate tennis match," said Head Coach
Jim Corn. "Every time we play each other it is always a great match and shows the competitiveness of Big South Tennis!"
The day started with UNC Asheville defeating Gardner-Webb in all doubles matches.
Valentine Limauge and
Manon Delsol lost 6-1 at #2, Hellberg and Jardim fell 6-4 in the #3. Doubles concluded at the #1 flight with
Miljana Ristic and
Daniela Naupari who lost 6-3.
"It was great to see the girls bounce back as well as they did in singles after their performances in the doubles matches," said Corn.
Singles matches started strong for the Runnin' Bulldogs as they won the first set in all six matches. Delsol defeated Asheville's Beatrice Faureng 6-2, 6-1 in the #4 position. Jardim secured the victory at #5 with a 6-0, 6-4 decision. Her victory put Gardner-Webb in the lead for the overall match at 2-1.
UNC Asheville won the next two matches to regain the lead. Rosie Dickson beat Limauge 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the #6 flight. Then, Naupari lost to Ami Grace Dougah by a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 score.
For the Runnin' Bulldogs to win the match, they would need victories from M. Ristic at #1 and Hellberg from #3. M. Ristic needed to go to a third-set tiebreaker to win. The score ended at 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4) tying the match at 3-3, therefore having the winner come down to the #3 singles.
In Hellberg's match, she dominated the first set 6-1, but Asheville's Anastasia Horvat won the second set with a 6-1 score. Hellberg was down in the third set 2-5 and made a miraculous comeback to win it 7-5. This victory clinched the match for the team.
"It was great to come away with a victory in our first conference match of the season, especially in dramatic fashion," said Corn.
The Runnin' Bulldogs travel to Charleston this weekend for matches against Charleston Southern and College of Charleston as they look to continue their win streak.
