CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Sophomore Kaua Cressoni picked up a straight-set win (7-5, 6-4) over Martin Delnido at No. 3 singles, clinching a 5-2 win for Gardner-Webb (2-1) men's tennis at UT Chattanooga (0-1) on Friday afternoon.

"UT Chattanooga is tough and we understood what we would face and came away with a win," said head coach Mike Griffith. "Our team is gritty and we just beat a team, at their place, who will do well this season. I am pleased we won but more importantly, how much we are improving every week."

The Runnin' Bulldogs wasted no time taking the lead on the scoreboard with the coveted doubles point. After UTC picked up a win on court three, the duo of Boyd Schreiber and Cressoni took down Jakub Jupa and Cortland Grove, 6-3, leaving the point in the hands of No. 2 doubles. Alexandre Bergeron and Johan Van Wijk toughed out a 7-5 win to secure the point.

UT Chattanooga came back to knot the score at 1-1 with a win at No. 2 singles, but Van Wijk and Noah Zdeiger pushed the Dawgs to the brink of victory with wins on court five and four, respectively. Cressoni ended any hope of a Bucs comeback with his dominant win at No. 3. Adam Patry and Bergeron also tallied wins in their singles matches.

Gardner-Webb will make the quick turnaround while facing Sewanee on Saturday, February 7. That match is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.