GREENSBORO, N.C. – Kylee Garrison registered a team-high 12 kills, but the Gardner-Webb University volleyball team (7-12; 4-5 Big South) struggled to find an offensive rhythm as the Runnin' Bulldogs fell to North Carolina A&T (15-7; 7-3), 3-0, on the road on Friday evening from Moore Gymnasium in Greensboro, N.C.
 
Garrison capped off a strong outing by tying a season-high with four service aces and a pair of blocks. Tori Weatherley set a new season-high with 30 assists, Makena Phillips and Hannah Donaldson each tallied eight kills, and Mikah McIntosh totaled 26 digs to improve on her league-leading average in digs per set.

"Tonight was a good battle," said Gardner-Webb head coach Eric Plunkett. "N.C. A&T has a lot of weapons. I thought at times we did a good job slowing down their offense with our serving, but we need to be sure that we continue to capitalize on the opportunities when we get a team out of system. We are excited to reset and take on a great challenge in High Point tomorrow (Saturday)." 
 
Gardner-Webb trailed by as many as seven in the first set before mounting a furious comeback to even the score late in the opening frame. Facing a 16-9 deficit, the Runnin' Bulldogs strung together a 5-0 run behind two service aces from Garrison and kills from Phillips and Audrey Gun, who completed the night with four kills and three aces.
 
As the Aggies continued to cling onto its slim advantage, GWU finally pushed ahead, 23-22, thanks to a 5-1 run capped off with back-to-back kills from Garrison. A&T quickly countered, however, reclaiming its lead and managing to hold off the late strong effort from the 'Dogs to escape with a 28-26 opening-set victory.
 
N.C. A&T once again took early control in set two and methodically built a lead of up to nine points, 19-10. A service ace from Gun and kills from Donaldson and Garrison spurred a 4-0 run, but the late rally attempt fell short as Gardner-Webb dropped set two, 25-18.
 
Looking to fend off a loss in straight sets, a trio of Runnin' Bulldogs notched kills as GWU raced ahead to a 7-2 advantage in the third set. The lead would be short-lasted, however, as the Aggies answered with a strong 8-1 run to regain command before running away with a second consecutive 25-18 victory, this time to complete the match in straight sets.
 
Gardner-Webb was held to .068 hitting with 34 kills on 133 attacks. North Carolina A&T, who entered the weekend tied for third in the Big South standings, countered with a .264 hitting percentage and 47 kills on 121 attacks.
 
With the loss, the Runnin' Bulldogs drop to 0-7 on the road this season.
 
For Gardner-Webb, the weekend slate gets even more challenging as the team travels to face the league's top team tomorrow, October 23 in High Point University. Undefeated on the season at 8-0 in Big South play, HPU will host GWU on Saturday with first serve set for 2 p.m.