BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Hannah Donaldson had a match-high 11 blocks and Maya Jeffcoat-Troy and Maria Emmick each had seven kills to lead Gardner-Webb to a 3-1 win over visiting Hampton in Big South Conference action on Friday evening.
 
Gardner-Webb (7-13, 1-6 Big South) took the first two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-15.  Hampton (6-10, 1-5 Big South) answered to take set three by a 25-11 score, but the Runnin' Bulldogs would bounce back to take set four, 25-22, to seize the overall match win.
 
GWU had 35 kills on 88 swings for a .239 attack percentage, while the Pirates had 50 kills on 128 attempts, but committed 36 attack errors to have a .109 attack percentage.
 
"I am very pleased with our effort tonight," stated Gardner-Webb head coach Leo Sayles after the win.  "Abbey Sprinkle returned to the lineup in a big way.  She and Maria Emmick had a great connection.  Our block was disciplined, and it was nice to see our offensive clicking again.  This was another step forward in our process, and a good win to start the weekend."
 
Jeffcoat-Troy and Emmick each had seven kills to lead the Runnin' Bulldog attack.  Hannah Lancaster followed with six smashes.  Amanda Sahm had a team-high 18 assists, followed by Abbey Sprinkle with 13 helps.
 
Donaldson led the GWU block with 11 total blocks, with Emmick providing six blocks as well.  Charissa Coleman led the 'Dogs in digs with 17.
 
Hampton was led offensively by Megann Delgado with a match-high 18 kills.  Brooklyn Irvin provided a team-best 18 assists.
 
Delgado, Lena Washington, and Sasha Saric each had a team-best two blocks, while Washington and Maja Petronijevic both had a team-high eight digs.
 
With the win, Gardner-Webb broke a conference-winning drought dating back to early in league play last season.  The Runnin' Bulldogs entered tonight's bout with 19 consecutive Big South Conference losses, with the last win taking place on September 26, 2017, a 3-2 win over UNC Asheville.
 
Gardner-Webb returns to action tomorrow afternoon, hosing Campbell.  The match is slated for a 4:00 pm start time inside Paul Porter Arena.