BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb volleyball team fell to visiting Winthrop in consecutive sets in Big South Conference action inside Paul Porter Arena on Friday evening.
 
Gardner-Webb (2-14, 0-5 Big South) fought hard throughout the night in a match that saw 21 ties and nine lead changes, but Winthrop (13-4, 4-0 Big South) took all three sets by scores of 25-20, 25-13, and 25-19.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs totaled 28 kills on 117 attempts, attacking at a .051 rate on the evening, while the Eagles racked up 44 kills on 111 swings for a.297 hitting percentage.
 
GWU was led on the attack by both Molly Johnston and Maria Emmick with six kills each.  Abbey Sprinkle had 11 assists, followed closedly by Madi Riggs with 10 helpers.
 
Charissa Coleman had a match-high 14 digs, while Emmick, Elizabeth Griffith, Hannah Donaldson, and Alexandria Roycraft each had two total blocks.
 
Winthrop had two attackers in double digits, as Nikkia Benitez had a match-high 11 kills, followed by Sammie-Jo Ah-Hong with 10.  Siani Yamaguchi dished out a match-high 20 assists.
 
Hannah Lackey led the Eagles with 13 digs, while Morgan Bossler and Emily Wunder each had three total blocks on the night.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs return to action on Friday, October 18, hosting Radford at 6:00 pm inside Paul Porter Arena.