CLEMSON, S.C. – The Gardner-Webb volleyball team challenged Clemson University on the road Sunday afternoon, a test that included a three-point decision in the first frame, but the Runnin' Bulldogs fell to the Tigers in three sets in their first match against an ACC foe since 2014.
Gardner-Webb (2-2) hit .103 for the match with 26 kills on 97 attacks. An efficient
Hannah Donaldson hit .545 and paced GWU with six kills, while
Lauryn Rocassin and
Mikah McIntosh posted five kills apiece for the shorthanded 'Dogs.
Two days removed from its contest against No. 24 South Carolina, Clemson (3-2) returned to the win column behind a strong offensive performance. Led by 11 from Camryn Hannah and nine from Kaylee Martin, the Tigers tallied 49 kills on .375 hitting to fend off a spirited effort from Gardner-Webb.
Tori Weatherley added four kills for the Runnin' Bulldogs and dished out a team-high 12 assists.
Sophia Bolden and Rocassin each tallied 11 digs, while GWU received seven total blocks on the afternoon led by two apiece from
Delaney McCullough,
Madison Deslatte and Rocassin.
In what ultimately proved to be the most competitive set on Sunday, Gardner-Webb showcased its resiliency early on, pushing Clemson deep into the opening frame and threatening to steal the first set from the Tigers with a late push. After falling behind 11-5, GWU mounted an immediate 6-1 run to come within one, to which Clemson countered by re-extending its advantage to six at 20-14.
Forced to make a run, the Red and Black quickly chipped away with an ace from
Caitie Mayo, followed by a block from Rocassin and Donaldson, as the 'Dogs stormed back with three consecutive points to force a two-point game, 23-21. However, after calling its final timeout to stop the run, Clemson shut the door from that point forward by securing two of the final three points to earn a 25-22 first-set victory.
Clemson then went on to build comfortable leads in both the second and third frames after taking control early on and maintaining comfortable cushions throughout. The Runnin' Bulldogs managed to string together a 7-2 run to close the gap to five late in set two, but their efforts would fall short as the Tigers took the second game, 25-18, prior to cruising to victory in the final frame.
Gardner-Webb, now sitting at .500 overall on the young season, will return to action next weekend for its second tournament of the 2021 slate, the Wofford Invitational. The 'Dogs are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday, Sept. 11 with matches against North Alabama at 1 p.m. and Wofford at 4 p.m., before returning to the court on Sunday for a 2 p.m. showdown with South Carolina State. All matches will be hosted at Wofford's Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.
