CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Gardner-Webb Men's Tennis dropped its season opener to Charlotte on Friday afternoon. The Niners won the match on a 7-0 decision.
 
"There were a lot of positives from today even though we took a loss, I like what I saw," said Head Coach Mike Griffith. "We're not far away from making some big improvements in the next several matches."
 
In doubles action, John Spring and Cathal Butler dropped the #3 match on a 6-1 decision. Charlotte clinched the point with a win in the #2 matchup over Connor Enslin and Sebastian Harris 6-4. The Niners #9 ranked top-flight duo defeated Victor Putter and Chrisjan Van Wyk 6-3.
 
Charlotte won five singles matches in straight sets, winning all six. In the #1 flight, Van Wyk lost 6-2, 6-2, followed by Alex Lepine being defeated at #6 6-2, 6-3. The Niners clinched the win as Mikhail Sokolovskiy beat Harris in the #2 match 6-2, 6-2.
 
Charlotte cruised to a 6-4, 6-1 win in position #4 against Enslin and 6-3, 6-4 over Spring at #5. The day ended with Putter losing at #3 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
 
"We have Wake Forest on Monday as they are the tenth-ranked team in the country, but it will give another good opportunity to play solid competition," said Griffith.
 
After being forced to postpone the team's season opener against Kennesaw State scheduled for Sunday, the Runnin' Bulldogs will play their next match on January 17 at Wake Forest.