Eduardo Dias and Stephanie Liu Named Gardner-Webb Student-Athletes of The Week

Dias Takes Big South Singles and Doubles Tennis Championships; Liu Makes Five Saves in Winthrop Game; Plus Upcoming Sports Schedules

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—After a series of outstanding performances, senior Eduardo Dias of the Gardner-Webb University men’s tennis team and sophomore goalkeeper Stephanie Liu of the Gardner-Webb University women’s soccer team take home GWU’s Athlete of The Week award.

In men’s tennis, Dias was exceptional, taking the individual championship in both singles and doubles at the 2024 Big South Fall Championships. As the No. 1 seed in singles, Dias defeated his own teammate Kim Niethammer 6-3, 6-3 to take that title. He followed it up by joining another teammate, Numa Lemieux-Monette, for an 8-3 doubles title over fellow Runnin’ Bulldogs in Niethammer and Jurie Terblance. Dias and Lemieux-Monette now move on to the ITA Conference Masters Championship, featuring the top 32 singles and doubles players in the nation.

In women’s soccer, Liu finished an outstanding season for Gardner-Webb, making five saves in a win over Winthrop and 10 in a loss to USC Upstate, making 15 total for the week. Those results take Liu up to No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in the Big South, with 122 total saves for the season. The Hualien, Taiwan, native had six games during the 2024 season with double digit saves, also the most in the Big South Conference.

Sports Schedule Oct. 29-Nov. 6

Oct. 29

• 6 p.m., Men’s soccer vs. UNC-Asheville, Greene-Harbison Stadium.
• 6 p.m. Volleyball vs. UNC-Asheville, Paul Porter Arena.

Nov. 1

• Cross Country at Big South Conference in Charleston, S.C.
• Women’s Tennis at Wofford Fall Invite, Spartanburg, S.C.
• 6 p.m., Wrestling vs Purdue, Paul Porter Arena.   
• 6 p.m., Volleyball at Radford.
• 7 p.m., Men’s Soccer at High Point.
• Women’s Tennis at Wofford Invite, Spartanburg, S.C.
• Women’s Soccer vs Big South Conference Quarterfinals, Virginia Tech
• Wrestling vs. Southeast Open, Roanoke, Va.
• Men’s Golf at Fripp Island Preview, Spartanburg, S.C.
• Women’s Golf at Fripp Island Preview, Fripp Island, S.C.
• 2 p.m., Football at Charleston Southern, Charleston, S.C.
• 2 p.m., Volleyball at High Point.

Nov. 3

• Women’s Tennis at Wofford Fall Invite, Spartanburg, S.C.
• Men’s Golf at Fripp Island Preview, Spartanburg, S.C.
• Women’s Golf at Fripp Island Preview, Fripp Island, S.C.
• Men’s Golf at Fripp Island Preview, Spartanburg, S.C.
• Women’s Golf at Fripp Island Preview, Fripp Island, S.C.
• 7 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. West Georgia, Paul Porter Arena.
• 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball at Tennessee in Knoxville.

Nov. 6

• Men’s Soccer vs. Big South Conference Tournament.

For all things Runnin’ Bulldogs, stay posted to gwusports.com.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.