BUIES CREEK, N.C. – With a chance to even its record at .500, the Gardner-Webb men's tennis program traveled to Campbell to open Big South Conference play, and fell, 4-3.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (5-7, 0-1 Big South Conference) opened the match with momentum on their side, clinching the doubles point. Gardner-Webb won two of the three doubles contests, earning victories at the No. 1 and 3 positions. Maximilian Scholl and Millen Hurrion teamed up for a 6-4 win at No. 1 doubles, and Breno Plentz and Ross Gilbert earned an impressive 6-1 victory at No. 3.

"It was a tough match today with a great college atmosphere," said head coach Mike Griffith. "It's disappointing to lose after being in the lead."

Despite holding a 1-0 lead following doubles play, Gardner-Webb dropped four of six singles matches and lost, 4-3.

Scholl and Adam Schmidt were winners at No. 1 and No. 4 singles respectively, both winning in just two sets. Scholl, a junior from Stuttgart, Germany, won 6-2, 6-1, allowing his opponent to win only three games over two sets. Schmidt, a senior from Lund Sweden, eked out a 7-5 win in set one, before clinching the match with a 6-3 victory in the second set.

The Fighting Camels of Campbell (4-4, 1-1 BSC) won at No. 2, 3, 5 and 6 singles. Johan Fors suffered a three-set defeat at No. 6. Hurrion battled for three sets at No. 2 singles, winning the opening set, 6-4, but falling 6-2 and 7-5 in the final two sets as Campbell clinched the victory.

"Everybody fought hard today," noted Schmidt, the captain. "We didn't get the result we wanted, and it hurts to lose, but we have more matches coming up where we will have an opportunity to step up and win."

Gardner-Webb will begin a three-game home stretch on Monday afternoon with a non-conference battle with Appalachian State at 2:30 p.m. Winthrop (Friday, March 2) and Wofford (Tuesday, March 6) will close out the homestand for the 'Dogs. Senior day is scheduled for the match against the Wofford Terriers.