Davidson, N.C. - Senior Erica White, as well as freshmen Valeriia Popko and Rokia Sacko, picked up singles wins on Saturday for Gardner-Webb's women's tennis team, highlighting a gritty effort in the Runnin' Bulldogs' 4-3 road loss versus Davidson in non-conference action.

GWU (0-2) fought through a tough set of circumstances Saturday, as an undermanned Gardner-Webb squad made things interesting despite not fielding a No. 3 doubles tandem or No.'s 5-6 singles players due to injuries.

Davidson (3-1) took advantage early with wins at both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, increasing its lead to 1-0 prior to singles.

Because it had to forfeit the No. 5 and No. 6 singles slots on Saturday, Gardner-Webb needed to win the four remaining matches to defeat the Wildcats. The Runnin' Bulldogs did not roll over, but got wins at No.'s 1 and 4 singles to put pressure on the home team.

Sacko (Montreal, Canada) outlasted the Wildcats' Catherine Wood to earn her first collegiate win. The Runnin' Bulldog rookie pulled away from Wood by a 7-5, 6-3 margin to give GWU the win at No. 4 singles.

White (Charleston, W.Va.) surged ahead in the final frame of a three-set match versus Elaina Cummer, improving her record to 2-0 at No. 1 singles on the season with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 triumph Saturday.

Gardner-Webb also got a win at No. 3 singles, as Popko (St. Petersburg, Russia) won her first match as a Runnin' Bulldog. The freshman's first collegiate win came versus Davidson's Elise Held, a come-from-behind effort at 4-6, 6-1, 10-6.

Davidson clinched the match with a win at No. 2 singles.

In singles play, Sacko (1-1) and Popko (1-1) evened their records early in the 2013 season. The pair of freshmen complement White's 2-0 singles record thus far.

Next on the slate for the Runnin' Bulldogs is a pair of home matches. GWU hosts Wofford on Wednesday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m. and Erskine on Friday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m.