CLINTON, S.C. – The Gardner-Webb women's tennis was unable to sustain early momentum against Presbyterian, falling by a 5-2 score on Tuesday afternoon.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-13, 0-7 Big South Conference) began the match on a positive note by winning the doubles point.

While the Blue Hose (10-8, 4-4 BSC) were victorious in the opening doubles match at No. 2, two consecutive victories, first in the No. 3 position and then in the No. 1 flight, gave Gardner-Webb the point.

At No. 3 doubles, Daniela Naupari and Paula Romero won by a 6-3 score before Sandra Bolstad and Miljana Ristic clinched the point with a victory at No. 1. Bolstad and Ristic also won by a 6-3 score.

The Runnin' Bulldogs hoped to keep the positive momentum on their side in singles play, but Presbyterian won five of the six singles matches to win the Big South Conference match, 5-2.

Ristic was the only Gardner-Webb player to win her singles contest. The Nis, Serbia native won in the No. 3 flight in straight sets. She opened her match with a 6-3 victory in set one before winning a tiebreaker in set two, 7-6 (2).

Ristic leads the team with 11 singles victories for the season. Despite falling today, Naupari is 9-7 overall, while Limague is 8-8.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will close out the regular season on Saturday, April 14 at Longwood. Match time is set for 11 a.m.