SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A pair of Runnin' Bulldogs posted double-doubles, but it was not enough to overcome a streaking USC Upstate team on the road as Gardner-Webb volleyball fell in straight sets to the Spartans on Saturday afternoon inside G.B. Hodge Center.
Upstate (8-11; 4-2 Big South), who handed Winthrop its first loss in Big South play on Friday night, took down the 'Dogs in consecutive sets by scores of 25-17, 25-19 and 25-22, respectively.
Gardner-Webb (6-10; 3-3 Big South) was led by double-doubles from both
Kylee Garrison and
Lauryn Rocassin. Garrison tallied a team-high 10 kills with 10 digs, while Rocassin – who has nearly notched triple-doubles in three of the last four matches – finished with 14 assists, 10 digs and seven kills.
Audrey Gun and
Makena Phillips also registered seven kills apiece for GWU, while
Mikah McIntosh led the way in digs with 21.
Tori Weatherley dished out a team-leading 15 assists.
Gardner-Webb hit .135 for the match with 38 kills on 126 attacks, adding five service aces, two blocks, 37 assists and 54 digs. Upstate countered with 41 kills on .250 hitting, six aces, seven blocks, 38 assists and 53 digs.
Entering Saturday's matchup on the heels of a big home victory a night ago, USC Upstate carried over its strong play to the second leg of its back-to-back as the Spartans jumped out to an early 15-8 lead before taking the opening frame, 25-17.
Kills from
Delaney McCullough and Garrison kickstarted the 'Dogs in set two, while a pair of kills from Gun preceded a service ace from McCullough to cap off a 4-0 run for GWU to tie the frame at 8-8. A 6-1 run for the Spartans followed, however, boosting them to a six-point lead and ultimately a 25-19 final to take a 2-0 edge.
Looking to force a fourth set, Gardner-Webb jumped out to a 2-0 lead behind a kill from Rocassin as the two sides ensued to trade points throughout the early going. The Runnin' Bulldogs maintained a one-point advantage at 9-8, but it was all Upstate from that point on as the Spartans raced to a 15-10 lead en route to a 25-22 victory in the final set.
Now sitting at an even .500 in Big South play, Gardner-Webb will look to bounce back next weekend when the 'Dogs return home to Paul Porter Arena to face off against Hampton on Friday, October 15 at 6 p.m. followed by a Saturday matinee with Campbell at 2 p.m.
