STATESBORO, GA – Georgia Southern ended Gardner-Webb's three-match win streak on Saturday afternoon on a 4-3 decision.
 
Head Coach Mike Griffith said, "Our double didn't play well for some reason, but we recovered to win four of the first sets in singles matches.
 
The Eagles got to an early lead by defeating Victor Putter and Chrisjan Van Wyk 6-0 in the topflight. Georgia Southern clinched the doubles point at #3 with a 6-2 triumph over Cathal Butler and John Spring. Gardner-Webb's #2 duo of Sebastian Harris and Connor Enslin won the final double match 6-3.
 
In singles, Alex Lepine got a quick 6-4. 6-0 straight sets win on court #5 to even the overall score. The remaining five matches all needed the third set to decide their winner.
 
Georgia Southern claimed the next three matches to clinch the team's win. Dimitris Paliovras overcame his first-set loss to defeat Enslin in position #6 0-6, 6-3, 6-2. Tao Castilla took down Van Wyk 6-1, 6-7, 6-1 at #2 followed by Pol Castillo defeating Putter in the topflight 5-7, 7-6, 6-1.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs prevailed in the final two matches of the afternoon. Harris had a 7-6, 6-7, 1-0 (4) win at #3, and Eduardo Dias won 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 on the #4 court.
 
"We came up short, but we will learn from this and do better next time out," said Griffith.
 
Gardner-Webb plays at Belmont-Abbey for its next match on Friday, February 11.