BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb had four players collect ten or more kills, yet the Runnin' Bulldogs would fall to Winthrop in five sets on Thursday evening in Paul Porter Arena.
 
Gardner-Webb (7-21, 1-14 Big South) would take the first two sets by scores of 25-23, and 25-22, yet the visiting Eagles (16-13, 7-8 Big South) would take the final three sets, 25-20, 25-18, and 16-14 to take the overall match win.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs had 56 total kills on the evening, attacking at a .134 rate, while Winthrop collected 59 total kills with a .142 hitting percentage.
 
Nicole Celarek had a team-high 15 kills on 59 attempts for GWU, hitting at a .034 percentage.  Kaelyn Dyson and Tyra Long each had 11 kills, while Maria Emmick also reached double-figures, collecting 10 smashes throughout the match.
 
Several Runnin' Bulldogs also collected multiple blocks, led by Hannah Driscoll with one solo block and six block assists.  Dyson and Emmick each had one solo block and five block assists, while Long had three block assists and Celarek had two block assists.
 
Three GWU players collected double-digit digs, led by Emma Milstead with a match-high 31 digs.  Hannah Lancaster had 13 digs while Jasmine Patin had ten digs throughout the night.
 
Amanda Sahm had a team-high 46 assists throughout the match.
 
Winthrop was led by Phoebe Wu, who had 22 kills on 78 swings to hit at a .141 clip.  She also had 16 digs to go along with a solo block and a block assist.
 
Keaupono Fey led the team with two solo blocks and six block assists, while Carlie Skelton had a team-high 22 digs and Siani Yamaguchi had 46 assists.
 
Gardner-Webb returns to action for the final time in 2017 on Saturday afternoon, hosting Liberty at 2:00 pm.  Prior to the match, the senior class of Nicole Celarek, Hannah Driscoll, Kaelyn Dyson, and Tyra Long will be recognized for their time at GWU.  Saturday's match can also be seen on the Big South Network (www.bigsouthsports.com).