ATLANTA, Ga. – Gardner-Webb held on to defeat Alabama A&M by a 3-2 score in the final matchup of the SWAC/MEAC Crossover Tournament on Saturday night.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs took the first set by a 25-22 score, but Alabama A&M answered by taking the second set at 25-18.  GWU took set three at 25-21, yet A&M controlled the fourth set, 25-9, to send the match to a decisive-fifth set.  GWU jumped out to a 12-8 advantage and held on to take the set by a 15-12 score to seal the overall victory,
 
GWU improves to 2-1 overall, while Alabama A&M now sits at 2-2 on the season.
 
"This was a total team effort," said Gardner-Webb head coach Leo Sayles following the match. " With Molly Johnston and Elizabeth Griffith nursing injuries, Alexandria Roycraft and Maria Emmick stepped up to fill the gap.  Amanda Sahm's leadership guided our young team as we had to try every possible lineup combination to offset a very determined Alabama A&M team.  This group is proving that that can finish.  It is still early in the year and we have much to learn, but I'm very pleased with our 2-1 weekend."
 
Hannah Donaldson led the GWU attack with 12 kills, followed by Hannah Lancaster with 11 smashes.  Alexandria Roycraft added nine kills along with a pair of service aces, while Maria Emmick had eight kills and two service aces as well.
 
In the opening set, Gardner-Webb built an early six-point advantage and was able to hold on down the stretch to take a 25-22 set win.
 
Alabama A&M took the first five points of set two, and the Runnin' Bulldogs were unable to pull any closer than two points, dropping the set at 25-18 to tie the match at 1-1 as play headed to intermission.
 
After the break, GWU took an early three-point lead in set three and would hold that advantage until Alabama A&M tied the score at 14-14.  The 'Dogs were once again able to build a three-point advantage and would go on to win by four at 25-21.
 
In the fourth set, Alabama A&M had three different five-point runs to control the set, taking a 25-9 decision and squaring the match at 2-2.
 
The final set was even paced until Gardner-Webb was able to jump out to an 8-4 advantage.  With the score at 12-8 in GWU's favor, Alabama A&M began to battle back, but the Runnin' Bulldogs were able to hold on for a 15-12 win to seize the match victory.
 
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Friday, August 31, taking on North Carolina Central to open play at the 2018 Phoenix Classic, hosted by Elon.  The match is set for a 4:00 pm start time.