CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Gardner-Webb claimed the opening set of Friday afternoon's match, but the Runnin' Bulldogs were unable to hold off Eastern Kentucky in the following three sets, falling to the Colonels, 3-1, as action continues at the 2019 Charlotte Invitational.
 
Gardner-Webb (0-2) took the opening set by a 25-23 score, but would drop the following three sets to Eastern Kentucky (1-1) by scores of 25-11, 25-21, and 25-21.
 
The 'Dogs totaled 32 kills on 157 attempts for a .083 hitting percentage, while the Colonels racked up 67 kills on 180 swings, attacking at a .217 clip.
 
Kylee Garrison led Gardner-Webb in kills with seven, followed by Maria Emmick who had six smashes.  Molly Johnston and Delaney McCullough each had five kills on the afternoon.
 
Abbey Sprinkle dished out a team-best 15 assists.
 
Charissa Coleman led GWU in digs with 19, followed closely by Garrison with 17.  Sophia Bolden also reached double digits in digs with 12.
 
Alexandria Roycraft had one solo block and two block assists on the afternoon, while Hannah Donaldson totaled four block assists.
 
EKU was led on the attach by Abby Noll, who tallied a match-high 24 kills on 50 swings.  Rachel Woody had a match-high 48 assists.
 
Dena Tekavec had 31 digs to lead the Colonels, while Kaylin Johnson had two solo blocks and two block assists.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs will next face Kent State at 10:00 am Saturday morning to wrap up the Charlotte Invitational.