SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Gardner-Webb volleyball team dropped a four-set decision at USC Upstate in Big South Conference play Thursday night inside the G.B. Hodge Center.
 
Gardner-Webb (1-4, 1-4 Big South) dropped the first set to USC Upstate (1-4, 1-4 Big South) by a 25-22 score, but bounced back by taking set two, 25-23.  The Spartans answered by taking the following two sets, both by scores of 25-19, to claim the overall match win.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs compiled 49 kills on 150 attempts for a .107 attack percentage, while USC Upstate totaled 41 kills on 132 swings, attacking at a .144 clip.
 
Kylee Garrison led the GWU attack with 17 kills on 46 attempts, followed by Alexandria Roycraft with 13 smashes on 27 swings fo a .333 hitting percentage.  Tori Weatherley led the Runnin' Bulldogs with 39 assists.
 
Sophia Bolden totaled 17 digs to lead Gardner-Webb, while Delaney McCullough had a solo block and three block assists and Roycraft had four block assists to lead the team.
 
USC Upstate's attack was paced by Nikki Deslatte with 10 smashes on 18 swings.  Emma McElveen has a team-best 10 assists.
 
Scout Hoffmeier led the Spartans in digs with 15, while Alexis Mareko led the team on the block with four block assists.
 
Both teams will take the court again tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm in Spartanburg, S.C.