DURHAM, N.C. – Three Runnin' Bulldogs had ten or more kills to lead Gardner-Webb to a 3-1 victory at North Carolina Central on Tuesday evening.
 
Gardner-Webb (6-5) earned the win by scores of 24-26, 25-19, 25-20, and 25-18, attacking at a .215 percentage with 56 kills while holding NC Central (0-10) to a .093 hitting percentage and 43 kills.
 
"I felt the girls did a good job adjusting to NCCU tonight," said Gardner-Webb head coach Leo Sayles after the match.  "The Eagles played a great first set and were able to attack our weaknesses.  Our defense adjusted well and our offense warmed up as the match went on.  Molly Johnston was solid both offensively and defensively, and Nicole Celarek played a great game defensively, and then scored on critical points late in the game. Hopefully we can shore up a couple of weaknesses and play well in another tough road match at Furman tomorrow night."
 
Nicole Celarek led all hitters with 14 kills, while Molly Johnston posted 11 kills and Keira Moore collected 10 kills to lead GWU's balanced attack.  Johnston led the team with nine blocks, while Amanda Sahm had a team-high 34 assists and Emma Milstead racked up 23 digs to lead the team.
 
The Eagles were led in kills by Da'Nesha Miller with 11, blocks by Whitney White with four, assists by Paige Phillips with 34, and digs by Bree Simmons with 25.
 
NCCU would open the first set with a 7-5 advantage, but GWU would go a 9-2 run to take a five-point lead at 14-9.  GWU would lead by a much as six points at 17-11 after a kill by Kaelyn Dyson, but the Eagles would chip away at their deficit to tie the set at 22-22 and go on to take the opening set by a score of 26-24.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs would fight back at the onset of the second set, going on a 6-1 run, capped by a block by Moore and Johnston.  The Eagles would respond to take a 9-8 lead, but the 'Dogs would claw back to claim a 17-17 lead and would go on to take the set by a 25-19 score.
 
Gardner-Webb would control much of the third set, opening with a 5-2 lead on a block by Moore and Johnston.   GWU would lead by as many as six points at 13-7 after a Tyra Long kill, and would go on to take the set, 25-20, after a kill by Maria Emmick.
 
GWU started the fourth set with another big run, building a 9-2 advantage after a kill by Celarek.  NC Central would pull within one point at 14-13, but the Runnin' Bulldogs would answer with an 7-2 run to seize control of the set at 21-15 after a service ace by Milstead.  GWU would go on to take the set by a 25-18 score, wrapping up the overall match win on a kill by Dyson.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs have a quick turnaround before their next match, taking on Furman tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm in Greenville, S.C.