BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Kylee Garrison collected a match-high 11 kills, but Gardner-Webb dropped a four-set decision to visiting Winthrop in the Big South Conference opener on Tuesday evening.
 
Gardner-Webb (5-8, 0-1 Big South) took the opening set by a 25-21 score, but Winthrop (5-8, 1-0 Big South) answered to take set two by a 25-19 score and went on to take the following two sets by scores of 25-13 and 26-24 to claim the overall match win.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs had 39 total kills on 147 attempts, attacking at a .027 clip, while the Eagles collected 47 total kills on 154 swings for a .097 attacking percentage.
 
Garrison led the GWU attack, tallying 11 kills on 44 swings.  Hannah Lancaster and Hannah Donaldson each followed with six kills apiece.  Charissa Coleman racked up a match-best 28 digs, while Amanda Sahm followed with 14.
 
Sahm also led the 'Dogs with 32 assists to post a double-double on the evening, while Donaldson and Elizabeth Griffith each had seven blocks to lead the team.
 
Winthrop was led on the attack by Phoebe Wu, who had nine kills on 38 swings, while Siani Yamaguchi added a match-high 41 assists.
 
Carlie Skelton led the Eagles in digs with 19 and Yamaguchi, Makayla Doyle and Lily Leistiko each had seven blocks to lead that effort.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs hit the road for their next matchup, taking on High Point on Friday evening at 7:00 pm.  The match will be broadcast live on ESPN+, available on the ESPN app or ESPN.com.