RADFORD, VA – Gardner-Webb suffered a 6-1 defeat to Radford on Friday for their first conference loss of the season. The loss puts the Runnin' Bulldogs at 8-8 on the season and a 3-1 record in Big South play.
"I felt doubles was ours, but we missed some opportunities, and Radford took advantage of them to get the point," said Head Coach
Mike Griffith. "Despite the loss, this match shows that we are right there and if we continue to work hard, we can, and should reach our goals!"
In doubles action, the Runnin' Bulldogs started the day with a win in the #3 match.
Chrisjan Van Wyk and
Connor Enslin defeated Konstantinos Raptis and Aditya Baleskar 6-3. This result marks the tenth-straight doubles match Van Wyk has won.
The Highlanders came back to win the #1 and #2 flights, winning both by 6-3 decisions.
Stefano Puga and
Breno Plentz played in the #1 position;
Sebastian Harris and
John Spring were in the #2.
Radford got ahead early in singles matches, winning the first five matches. Spring lost in the #5 flight, 6-2, 6-1. Shortly after, the #1 match concluded with Radford's Yevhen Sirous winning 6-0, 6-2 over Van Wyk. Radford clinched the win in the #6 position. Baleskar defeated
Cathal Butler, 6-2, 6-2 for the clinch.
To wrap up the day's action, at #4, the Highlanders' Raptis prevailed over Harris 4-6, 6-3, 10-4. Radford won the #3 match over Enslin 7-6(3), 6-2. The day ended with Plentz winning the lone Runnin' Bulldogs point with his victory in the #2 flight. After dropping the first set 2-6, Plentz won the remaining sets 6-4, 11-9.
"Now, we prepare for our last conference regular season match against UNC Asheville," said Griffith.
The Runnin' Bulldogs wrap up their regular season with three matches next week. Gardner-Webb starts the week with their last regular season conference match of the season on Wednesday against UNC Asheville at home at 3:00 p.m. The team will play their last home match of the season on Friday versus South Carolina State. The regular season will come to an end on Sunday, April 11 with a trip to UNC Wilmington. Gardner-Webb will end the season playing in the Big South Conference Tournament which will be held on April 16-17.
