SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Nichole Ford collected a match-high 13 kills, yet Gardner-Webb would go on to fall to USC Upstate in consecutive sets in Big South Conference play on Saturday evening.
 
Gardner-Webb (6-13, 0-6 Big South) would drop all three sets to USC Upstate (6-14, 2-4 Big South) by scores of 25-21, 31-29, and 25-18. 
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs totaled 37 kills on 128 attempts with 29 attack errors for a .062 attacking percentage, while the Spartans has 37 kills on 123 swings with 22 errors for a .122 attacking rate.
 
Ford led all attackers with 13 kills on 31 swings for a .290 attacking percentage.  She also added 11 digs for a double-double on the evening.  Amanda Sahm led the 'Dogs with 33 assistts and also had 12 digs for a double-double as well.
 
GWU was led in digs by Charissa Coleman with 15, while Hannah Donaldson led the team with four total blocks.
 
Emily Russell led the USC Upstate attack, tallying 11 kills on 27 swings for a .296 attacking percentage.  Madison Haake led the Spartans on the evening with 32 assists.
 
Defensively, the Spartans were led by Payton Duncan with 16 digs and Russell with eight total blocks.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs return home for their next contest, hosting Hampton on Friday, October 12 at 7:00 pm inside Paul Porter Arena.