BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb opened their conference season on Monday afternoon with a victory over the visiting Fighting Camels of Campbell. The win puts the Runnin' Bulldogs at a 3-1 record when playing at home.
 
"Our plan today was to attack in the doubles, and that lead to us setting the tone for the rest of the day," said Head Coach Mike Griffith.
 
Campbell only used five players for the competition, leading to them forfeiting the #3 doubles and #6 singles matches. Due to this, Breno Plentz and Stefano Puga's 6-2 victory in the #2 flight clinched the doubles point for Gardner-Webb. Chrisjan Van Wyk and Victor Putter won their match in the #1 position with another 6-2 decision.
 
Gardner-Webb was up 2-0 heading into singles action due to Campbell's forfeit at the #6 flight. The Camels secured their lone win of the day in the #3 singles match with Matthew Beecher's victory over Plentz 6-0, 6-3.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs answered the lost point by winning the remaining four singles matches of the day. John Spring won in the #5 flight by a 6-4, 6-1 decision. Van Wyk clinched the victory for Gardner-Webb with a 6-1, 6-4 triumph over Noe Macquart of Campbell in the #2 position. In the #4 match, Sebastian Harris won in close straight-sets 7-6(4), 6-4. The day ended with Putter rallying against Benjamin Niv after a first set defeat to win 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the top singles flight.
 
"Campbell came in and did not make it easy since they are always well coached," said Griffith. "In the end, we are excited for the win and are preparing now for our next match against Longwood."
 
Gardner-Webb faces conference-foe Longwood in Boiling Springs on Thursday for their next match scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The team will be looking to improve on their seven-match home conference unbeaten streak which dates to the 2018 season.