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Big South Tournament Champions Receive Rings During Halftime Ceremony

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳he 海角网 men鈥檚 tennis team will receive their conference championship rings in a halftime ceremony at the 海角网 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鈥� Bulldogs a coveted spot in the 2025 NCAA Division I Men鈥檚 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鈥檚 Trevor Gray. Schreiber, in his debut season, was named the tournament鈥檚 Most Valuable Player, providing a thrilling glimpse into the future of GWU tennis.

Guided by Head Coach Mike Griffith鈥攚ho earned his third consecutive and fourth overall Big South Coach of the Year honor鈥攖he Bulldogs achieved a rare and historic double, winning both the regular season and tournament championships. It marked the program鈥檚 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.

鈥淭his championship means everything to our program,鈥� Griffith said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 for the alumni, the current players, and everyone who鈥檚 believed in us. We鈥檝e built something special here.鈥�

Senior leadership was key to the team鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 future promise by earning Big South Freshman of the Year honors.

鈥淭his 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,鈥� Griffith reflected. 鈥淭hey also won three out of the past four conference championships and went 68-27 over four years.鈥�

Though their NCAA Tournament journey ended in the first round against top-ranked Wake Forest鈥攖he eventual national champions鈥攖he Runnin鈥� 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.

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