BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Kaelyn Dyson posted nine kills and a .421 hitting percentage to lead the way for Gardner-Webb, as Elon tallied 48 kills en route to a straight-set sweep of the Runnin' Bulldogs on Tuesday evening in Paul Porter Arena.
 
Elon (5-3) won the match by scores on 25-14, 25-22, and 28-26, attacking at a .238 clip, while holding Gardner-Webb (2-5) to a .152 hitting percentage.  The Runnin' Bulldogs edged the Phoenix on the block by a seven to two margin to go along with 43 digs and three service aces.
 
Dyson had nine kills to lead the Runnin' Bulldogs, while Hannah Driscoll tallied five blocks to lead the squad.  Abbey Sprinkle had 14 assists and Emma Milstead had 17 digs.
 
Kam Terry led Elon with 15 kills, and Elizabeth Coil and Julia Crabtree each had one block.  Kodi Garcia had 40 assists and Maddie Laudon tallied 15 digs to lead the team.
 
Gardner-Webb would hold an early 4-3 lead in the opening set after an ace by Milstead, but the Phoenix would go on a 9-1 run to take a 12-5 lead and control of the set.  Elon would go on to take the opening set by a score of 25-14. 
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs opened the second set by building a 7-4 lead, capped by a kill by Nicole Celarek, and would maintain a lead until Elon would take a 12-11 advantage.  The Runnin' Bulldogs would reclaim the lead at 19-18 on a ace by Milstead, and would build the lead to two points at 21-19 after a kill by Joy Rhodes, yet the Phoenix would close the set with a 5-1 run to take a 25-22 decision.
 
Elon would control the first half of the third set, building a lead as much as eight points at 23-15, but the Runnin' Bulldogs would rally, going on a 10-1 run to take a 25-24 lead.  The two teams would trade the next few points, with GWU once again taking a lead at 26-25 after a kill by Celarek, but the Phoenix would score three straight to take the set by a 28-26 score and the overall match win.
 
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Friday, September 8 at 2:00 pm as the Runnin' Bulldogs take on The Citadel at the 2017 ECU Classic hosted by East Carolina University.