HICKORY, N.C. -- After suffering a 4-0 loss to Mount Olive in the Florence City Invitational last week, the LR men's tennis program battled the Trojans tougher on Saturday but fell 4-3. The match was the home opener for LR. 

Mount Olive took the doubles point by winning in the number 1 and 2 spots. The Bears number three pair of Joel Hemmings and Patrik Alvestrand won 6-4 but the Trojans had the early lead.

Reigning SAC Player of the Week Zach Cox had a straight-set win in number 1 singles by a final of 6-2 and 7-6. Connor Gibson won in third singles 6-2, 1-6 and 6-1 and Rufus Plane earned a 7-6, 6-4 win at the number four spot. However, the Trojans would win in number 2, 5 and 6 to earn the three singles points to seal the victory. 

The Bears will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Belmont Abbey at 1 p.m.