SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team opened the afternoon with a heartbreaking five-set loss to University of North Alabama, then was unable to rebound in the second leg of its doubleheader against Wofford College as the Runnin' Bulldogs dropped a pair at the Wofford Invitational on Saturday from Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C. 
 
Searching for its third win of the young season, Gardner-Webb's 2-1 advantage disappeared in the final two sets as North Alabama (3-6) charged back to steal a 3-2 victory. Tasked with returning to the floor only 40 minutes later, the shorthanded 'Dogs then fell to Wofford (4-4) in straight sets to round out a packed afternoon of action. 
 
Leading Gardner-Webb (2-4) with a career performance against North Alabama was Lauryn Rocassin. The Delaware, Ohio native posted career-highs with 15 kills and 14 digs, while also dishing out 19 assists to complete a triple-double for the first time of her four-year career. 
 
Receiving help across the board against the Lions, Mikah McIntosh tallied a career-high 12 kills to go along with a team-leading 18 digs, Makena Phillips matched McIntosh in kills with 12, and Hannah Donaldson added 11 kills and a team-high six blocks, including two solo. 
 
As a team, GWU hit the best it has all season at .206 with 59 kills on 180 attacks. The Runnin' Bulldogs amassed 10 service aces, including a career-high five from Tori Weatherley, who also paced the way with 28 assists. Four players also finished with double-digit digs for the 'Dogs, including 14 from Kayla Hawkins and 13 from Sophia Bolden. 
 
McIntosh then led the way against the Terriers with her second 12-kill performance in as many matches. Donaldson tacked on another seven kills and four blocks (one solo), and Rocassin and Weatherley added 14 and 12 assists, respectively, but Gardner-Webb hit just .029 for the match against a fresh Wofford team that attacked at an effective .268 clip.

"Today was a tough day. We definitely had our opportunity in each match," said head coach Eric Plunkett. "I thought we did a good job putting pressure on both teams with our serve, which was awesome as it has been a focus for us this week. I'm proud of the team for competing in both matches and we are excited to turn around and get back on the court tomorrow and close out this tournament with a win!" 
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs got off to a fast start in their opening match against North Alabama, taking the first set from the Lions in impressive fashion, 25-18. UNA flipped the script with a 25-18 win of its own in set two, but GWU bounced back strong in an extended third set as a pair of kills from Rocassin helped boost a 3-0 run to cap off a 29-27 win to go up 2-1. 
 
Facing defeat, the Lions once again answered to even the match at 2-2 and force a decisive fifth set. Gardner-Webb managed to regain control and race to the cusp of victory with a 12-8 lead in the final frame, but North Alabama countered with one last push, surging from behind and fending off match point to ultimately claim the decisive set, 16-14. 
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs then had minimal time to rest and regroup before returning to the floor to face a fresh Wofford team that had secured a quick three-set win earlier in the morning against South Carolina State. The Terriers made quick work of the 'Dogs, taking the first two sets by slim margins before breaking out with a commanding performance in the third and final frame to secure their fourth win of the season.
 
Gardner-Webb will return to action tomorrow, Sunday, September 12 for its final match of the Wofford Invitational against South Carolina State. The opening serve is set for 1 p.m. from Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.