BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb volleyball team opens the 2019 regular season early Friday morning, taking on Charlotte to open the Charlotte Invitational at 10:00 am.
 
Gardner-Webb, led by first-year head coach Kamille Jones, returns eleven letterwinners from last season, including seniors Charissa Coleman and Molly Johnston.  GWU looks to improve from last season, in which the 'Dogs went 7-22 overall and 1-15 in Big South Conference play.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs also have five newcomers this season in freshmen Sophia Bolden, Gwyn Brooks, Ashley Downer, and Delaney McCullough, as well as transfer Lauryn Rocassin.
 
The 'Dogs face off against Charlotte at 10:00 am Friday morning, with the 49ers coming off of a 16-15 season and a 6-8 record in Conference USA play.  Charlotte is led on the court by Conference USA Libero of the Year Yumi Garcia and C-USA Defensive Player of the Year Tyra Galloway.
 
Gardner-Webb will play three times in this weekend's Charlotte Invitational, also facing Eastern Kentucky at 4:00 pm Friday afternoon before wrapping up action against Kent State at 10:00 am Saturday morning.
 
Links to live video for Friday morning's match and live stats for all three bouts can be found at GWUSports.com.