BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Longwood University men's tennis team dropped a 5-2 decision at Big South Conference opponent Gardner-Webb University (7-4, 1-1) on Saturday afternoon at the Webb Tennis Complex in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. Sophomores Daniel Elson/St. Austell, Cornwall, England and Steed Johnson/Ahoskie, N.C. led the Lancers with victories in singles play. Longwood (3-8, 0-5) will return to action on Friday, March 22 when it hosts James Madison University for a 2:30 p.m. match.

"We had a very tough match today,” said head coach Jakob Gustafsson. “We competed extremely well and were just points away from making a huge come back today. It was great to see us compete this well on a windy day and I feel sorry that the team ended up finishing just short."

Elston defeated Benjamin Kaszas in three sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the #1 singles position to score the first point of the day for the Lancers. Johnson picked up his victory, also in three sets, in the #5 position with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 win over Brendan Dempsey. Senior Giorgi Khmiadashvili/Tbilisi, Georgia and freshman Justin Higgs/Nassau, Bahamas pushed their matches to three sets, as well, but could not come away with the decisions at #1 and #6. Junior Edward Becker/Sydney, Australia fell 6-1, 6-1 at #2 and sophomore Harry Kelleher/Sydney, Australia was defeated 6-1, 6-3 at #4 to round out the singles competition.

In doubles play, Elston and Becker played in the top position, but were defeated, 8-7 (5). Khmiadashvili and Johnson fell in the #2 position, 8-5, while Kelleher and Sankar lost 8-0 at #3.

Singles
1. Khmiadashvili LOST to Knutsson 4-6 6-3 6-4
2. Elston WON against Kaszas 6-0 2-6 7-6(1)
3. Becker LOST to Piftor 6-1 6-1
4. Kelleher LOST to Alberch 6-1 6-3
5. Johnson WON against Dempsey 6-4 2-6 6-1
6. Higgs LOST to Zverkov 7-6(4) 2-6 7-5

Doubles
1. Elston/Becker LOST to Parker/Kaszas 8-7(5)
2. Khmiadashvili/Johnson LOST to Alberch/Zverkov 8-5
3. Sankar/Kelleher LOST to Dempsey/Poli 8-0