BOILING SPRINGS, North Carolina – Host Gardner-Webb built an early lead and held on to edge UNCW, 4-3, in women's tennis action on Saturday at the Webb Tennis Complex.
 
The Bulldogs improved to 1-2 on the season with the victory. The Seahawks, who topped UNC Asheville, 5-2, on Friday, stand 2-3 after splitting a pair of weekend outings on the western side of the state.
 
GWU swept all three matches for the doubles point and then tacked on three wins in singles for the non-conference victory.
 
After the Seahawks rallied to knot the score at 3-all with a pair of victories at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, GWU's Miljana Ristic outlasted Seahawk senior Celeste Mature, 6-2, 1-6, 6-2, for the clinching point.
 
Charlotte Madson, Sarah Merrill and Zoe Huffman each collected wins in singles for the Seahawks. Madson cruised past Elin Hellberg, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 2 singles, Merrill defeated Valentine Limauge, 7-5, 6-4, at the No. 5 position and Zoe Huffman stopped Courtney Fyvie, 6-4, 6-2, at No. 6 singles.
 
The Seahawks continue a five-match string away from home on Wednesday, March 10, with a 2 p.m. match at South Carolina State. GWU visits UNC Asheville on Tuesday, March 2, in a 2 p.m. start.
   
Singles
1. Miljana Ristic (GWU) def. Celeste Matute (UNCW), 6-2, 1-6, 6-2
2. Charlotte Madson (UNCW) def. Elin Hellberg (GWU), 6-2, 6-1
3. Manon Delsol (GWU) def. Maddy Muller-Hughes (UNCW), 6-0, 6-4
4. Maria Jardim (GWU) def. Anna Daniels (UNCW), 6-3, 6-2
5. Sarah Merrill (UNCW) def. Valentine Limauge (GWU), 7-5, 6-4
6. Zoe Huffman (UNCW) def. Courtney Fyvie (GWU), 6-4, 6-2
 
Doubles
1. Daniela Naupari/Miljana Ristic (GWU) def. Maddy Muller-Hughes/Anna Parker-Shumate (UNCW) 6-2
2. Manon Delsol/Valentine Limauge (GWU) def. Charlotte Madson/Sarah Horn (UNCW) 6-3
3. Elin Hellberg/Maria Jardim (GWU) def. Zoe Huffman/Anna Daniels (UNCW) 7-6 (7-3)
 
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,3,4,5,6,1)