CHARLOTTE, N.C. –Adam Schmidt's victory at No. 4 singles gave Gardner-Webb a 4-3 victory over the Presbyterian Blue Hose and sent the Runnin' Bulldogs to the semifinals of the Big South Conference tournament.
 
"It's such a good feeling to win," said Schmidt. To clinch the match was unbelievable, but it's such a team effort. I'm proud of all the guys for the hard work we've put in this year."
 
Gardner-Webb began the matching by winning the doubles point via victories in the No. 3 and No. 1 flights.
 
Schmidt and Breno Plentz were the first duo to complete their match, winning at No.3, 6-3. 
 
After the 'Dogs were defeated in the No. 2 flight, First Team All-Conference honorees Maximilian Scholl and Millen Hurrion won in the No. 1 flight. The duo battled back from a 4-2 deficit to win 7-5 and clinch the point for Gardner-Webb. 
 
Scholl made quick work of his opponent in singles, Presbyterian's Alexander Lykou. He won in two sets, 6-2, 6-2, which gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.
 
Presbyterian won its first match of the day at No. 3, but Stefano Puga was victorious in the No. 5 flight, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, putting Gardner-Webb up 3-1.
 
The Blue Hose won two consecutive matches, tying the contest at three-all with three-set wins in the No. 2 and 5 positions, but Schmidt clinched the match for Gardner-Webb.
 
Playing in the No. 4 position, Schmidt won the second and third sets to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a 4-3 victory. 
 
"The bottom line is we have one more match to play at least," said head coach Mike Griffith. "We started the match with all the momentum winning the doubles point. Presbyterian played great and fought back, but we were able to clinch. It was a huge victory for our team."
 
Gardner-Webb will play the second seeded Campbell Fighting Camels at 2 p.m. tomorrow, April 17. The semifinal contest will take place at the Rock Hill Tennis Center.