CONWAY, SC. – Gardner-Webb began its two-match, two-day road trip with a 4-3 defeat at Costal Carolina on Friday afternoon despite winning the doubles point followed by victories in the No. 1 and 2 singles flights.

Gardner-Webb (0-2) led 1-0 after doubles with Maximilian Scholl and Millen Hurrion, the country's 26^th-ranked doubles team, earning a 7-5 win over Coastal's Joel Popov and Zak Talic. The Runnin' Bulldogs were also victorious in the No. 2 doubles position with Breno Plentz and Stefano Puga winning 6-3.

The Runnin' Bulldogs extend their lead to 2-0 when Scholl won in the No. 1 singles position. The Stuttgart, Germany native won his first set 5-2 before the Chanticleers' Luiz Faria was forced to resign due to injury.

Coastal Carolina (1-1) won the next four singles matches to clinch the victory. In the No. 3 and 6 flights respectively, Plentz and Puga fought for three sets but were defeated.

Hurrion ended the match by winning in the No. 2 singles flight for Gardner-Webb's third victory of the afternoon. Facing off against Zak Talic, Hurrion battled for three sets, winning the first and third sets. Hurrion won both of his sets by a 7-5 score, while Talic took set two, 6-4.  

"It was a good college tennis match with a lot of momentum swings," said head coach Mike Griffith. "We need to be stronger mentally and with shot selection, but there were some positives that we saw. Coastal Carolina was the stronger team today. It won't get easier against UNCW tomorrow, but we are excited to play at great team."

Next up, the Runnin' Bulldogs will take the short drive to Wilmington, N.C. to battle the UNCW Seahawks. The Seahawks are 2-3 overall and are coming off a 7-0 defeat of North Florida this afternoon. First serve is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 2.
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