BOILING SRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb defeated Queens in the Runnin' Bulldogs home opener for the 2023 season on Sunday afternoon. The final score was 4-3 with Alex Lepine clinching the team's win after first set loss in the final match of the afternoon.
 
"We are fortunate to win today and you have to credit Queens for taking the doubles point at the start of the day," said Head Coach Mike Griffith. "A back-and-forth match at #2 and credit for Lepine to gut it out for the clincher."
 
Cathal Butler and John Spring opened the doubles action with a powerful 6-1 decision from court #3. Queens went on to win the point winning in the topflight 6-3 and needing a tiebreaker 7-6(3) on court #2 for the clinch.
 
Singles also started off with incredible wins from Numa Lemieux-Monette and Kim Neithammar as they each picked up 6-0, 6-0 triumphs from positions #5 and #6. Following these, Eduardo Dias continued his hot start to the season with a 6-4, 6-2 win in the topflight. With the win it pushed the overall team score to 3-1.
 
The Royals kept it interesting as they won on courts 3 and 4 to tie the overall score at 3-3.
 
Lepine and Edoardo Cecere's match from flight #2 was the decisive match of the day. Cecere got the first set with a 6-4 score, but fell 7-5 in the second set to have it come down to third set. Lepine got control of it late by winning the final three games to win it 6-3 and clinch the GWU win.
 
Gardner-Webb will be on the road for their next three matches. These trips include at Wingate (2/9), UNC Wilmington (2/10), and Wofford (2/13).