Gardner-Webb Men’s Tennis will be Honored at Soccer Game on Sept. 12 

Big South Tournament Champions Receive Rings During Halftime Ceremony

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University men’s tennis team will receive their conference championship rings in a halftime ceremony at the Gardner-Webb vs. Furman men’s soccer game on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in Greene-Harbison Stadium.

The team capped off a landmark year by capturing its first-ever Big South Tournament Championship, a triumph that secured the Runnin’ Bulldogs a coveted spot in the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis National Championships in Waco, Texas.

This momentous win came on April 18, when freshman standout Boyd Schreiber clinched the title with a 6-5, 6-1 victory over UNC Asheville’s Trevor Gray. Schreiber, in his debut season, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, providing a thrilling glimpse into the future of GWU tennis.

Guided by Head Coach Mike Griffith—who earned his third consecutive and fourth overall Big South Coach of the Year honor—the Bulldogs achieved a rare and historic double, winning both the regular season and tournament championships. It marked the program’s third consecutive regular-season title and the first time both titles were won in the same year.

The team posted an impressive 20-4 overall record, including a perfect 9-0 mark in conference play and a stunning 18-0 run at home over the past two seasons. Their fortress, the Webb Tennis Complex, has become one of the toughest venues in the region.

“This championship means everything to our program,” Griffith said. “It’s for the alumni, the current players, and everyone who’s believed in us. We’ve built something special here.”

Senior leadership was key to the team’s ascent. Eduardo Dias, Numa Lemieux-Monette, and Alex Lepine wrapped their collegiate careers with a combined dual-match record of 68-27 and a dominant 33-6 mark at home. Dias earned back-to-back Big South Player of the Year honors, while Lemieux-Monette joined him in capturing singles and doubles titles at the conference’s inaugural Fall Individual Championships.

Dias and senior Kim Niethammer were named to First Team All-Conference Singles. Niethammer went 15-5 overall in singles action, including a perfect 8-0 at No. 3. Niethammer moved to No. 2 singles in February while finishing the regular season at 7-5.

First-year student Alexandre Bergeron added to the program’s future promise by earning Big South Freshman of the Year honors.

“This team will always be remembered as the conclusion for four seniors who stuck with the program and saw us go 18-0 at home over the past two and a half years,” Griffith reflected. “They also won three out of the past four conference championships and went 68-27 over four years.”

Though their NCAA Tournament journey ended in the first round against top-ranked Wake Forest—the eventual national champions—the Runnin’ Bulldogs left an indelible mark on the national scene. They earned their highest-ever final national ranking at No. 75 and climbed to No. 8 in the highly competitive Carolina region.

Source: 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. Learn more at gardner-webb.edu.