TROY, Ala. – Gardner-Webb opened its final of four non-conference invitationals on its 2022 slate on Friday as the Runnin' Bulldogs dropped matches to Jacksonville and Troy on the first day of the Trojan Invitational in Troy, Ala.
 
Gardner-Webb (2-9) began the day with a thrilling five-set battle against Jacksonville. After winning an eventful opening game by a score of 26-24, the Dolphins went on to take the next two, 25-14 and 25-22, respectively.
 
Needing to mount a comeback, the Runnin' Bulldogs never trailed in a 25-22 victory in set four to set up a decisive fifth set, but could ultimately not capitalize on a late 13-8 advantage as Jacksonville (5-5) stormed from behind to take the final game by a final tally of 17-15 to steal the win.
 
GWU then returned for a nightcap against Troy later on following a short break, but was unable to overcome the host school in front of its home crowd. After the Trojans raced to a 25-13 win in set one, Gardner-Webb bounced back for an impressive 25-21 victory in set two, but Troy answered with set wins of 25-22 and 25-15, in order, to seal the match.
 
"We are a team that is learning to work through adversity. We are a team learning to become more consistent in execution," said head coach Eric Plunkett. "It's great for our team to feel this pressure. It will only prepare us for a tough match tomorrow and a grueling Big South Conference schedule moving forward."
 
Gardner-Webb was led by two strong performances from graduate Kylee Garrison. The Huntersville, North Carolina native posted a monster double-double in the early action against JU with 15 kills on a .267 clip and a career-high 21 digs, before then following up with team-highs of 14 kills and three blocks in the later action against Troy.
 
Two other players also recorded double-digit kills on the day as Delaney McCullough hit .333 and logged 11 with two blocks, while Avery Cole added 10 with two service aces and seven digs, both outputs of which came in the first contest of the day against Jacksonville.
 
Mikayla Logan also tallied nine kills against the Dolphins, with McKenna Timmerman notching eight. Morgan Hornady also finished with a double-double with 35 assists and 12 digs, while Sophia Bolden led the team with 23 digs ahead of Kayla Hawkins' nine and Brooke Fryar's six.
 
As a team, GWU hit .165 with 59 kills, six aces, six blocks, 53 assists and 88 digs against Jacksonville. Against Troy, the Dawgs hit .213 with 36 kills, six aces, eight blocks, 32 assists and 35 digs.
 
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Saturday to wrap up the Trojan Invitational with a match against Alabama State slated for noon ET.