Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb men's tennis team is off to a strong start to the 2024 season.  

The 'Runnin Bulldogs went on the road for the second-consecutive day on Sunday afternoon and secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Queens University of Charlotte at the Howard Levine Tennis Center.

Gardner-Webb, which improved to 2-0, is now 5-0 all-time vs the Royals.

The 'Runnin Bulldogs started out the day by sweeping the doubles point as they won in both the No.1 and No. 2 spots.

The Dawgs' No.1 tandem of Eduardo Dias and Chrisjan Van Wyk won 6-2 while Numa Lemieux-Monette and freshman Jurie Terblanche prevailed in the doubles No.2 spot, 6-3.   

In the No. 1 singles spot Dias, who dropped his opening set 1-6 to for the second straight day, rallied to defeat Win Steveker 6-1, 6-1.

Queens battled and picked up its three singles points as Alex Lepine (1-6, 6-2, 2-6), Van Wyk (2-6, 3-6) and Terblanche (6-0, 4-6, 3-6) fell in the No.2, No.5 and No.6 spots respectively for the 'Dawgs.

The Runnin' Bulldogs, however, secured victories on courts three and four to clinch the match point as Lemieux-Monette came up big for the 'Dawgs in the No.3 spot, winning in straight sets 7-6, 6-1. Kim Niethammer, who dropped his first set, rallied to win spot No.4 in three straight sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-2) to give Gardner-Webb its second win of the weekend.

"Queens played very well in singles and made us work today," said Gardner-Webb head tennis coach Mike Griffith. "Give our guys (Dias and Niethammer) credit for coming back and winning their matches after dropping their first set. Overall, to win back-to-back days to start the season is a great beginning."

UP Next: The Dawgs' return to Boiling Springs on Thursday (2/1) afternoon as they open their home season at the Webb Tennis Complex vs No. 10 ranked Wingate at 2:30 PM.