ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Gardner-Webb had five players with five or more kills, but the Runnin' Bulldogs would fall to UNC Asheville in a tightly-contested straight set decision in Big South Conference volleyball action on Friday evening.
 
Gardner-Webb (6-12, 0-5 Big South) dropped all three sets by scores of 25-23, 25-22, and 28-26, collecting 38 kills on 117 attempts for a .128 attacking percentage.  UNC Asheville (6-8, 1-3 Big South) totaled 39 kills on 124 swings for a .161 attacking rate.
 
"This was a gritty, competitive match and I am certainly proud of the effort we put forth tonight," stated GWU head coach Leo Sayles after the match.  "Of course, the loss stings a little, but we are showing that we are improving and giving ourselves opportunities to win."
 
Hannah Lancaster led the GWU attack with eight kills, followed by Nichole Ford with seven and Maya Jeffcoat-Troy and Alexandria Roycraft with six, while Hannah Donaldson added five kills.
 
Amanda Sahm racked up a match-high 29 assists, while Charissa Coleman led the 'Dogs in digs with 15 and Roycraft led the team on the block with four.
 
Asheville had three players with nine kills, Ansley Rooks, Cara Guthrie, and Julia Borges, to lead their attack.  Kailey Hackett and Carter Kennedy each had 16 assists to lead the team.
 
Madisen Zyburt had a match-high 23 digs while Cecilia Stack a match-best six blocks to lead Asheville's defensive effort.
 
Gardner-Webb returns to action tomorrow evening at USC Upstate at 5:00 pm.