CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Gardner-Webb volleyball team fell in straight-sets to Morehead State University in its opening game at the Chattanooga Classic on Friday, September 15. 
 
Freshman outside hitter Madison Smith led the team in kills and service aces with a season-high of 11 kills and four aces, while also leading the team in points at 15. Smith remains in the top 10 in Division 1 and first in the Big South Conference with 23 total aces. Freshmen outside hitter Jenna Otts followed behind Smith with eight kills of her own.
 
"This was definitely a frustrating start to a tournament," said head coach Eric Plunkett. "Morehead State played really consistent and their go-to players stepped up for them. Our late game execution was poor in each of the first two sets, which led to a lot of frustration in the third."
 
Morehead State held the lead for a majority of the first set, including a 11-3 lead in the first few points. The Runnin' Bulldogs pulled back and tied the score at 22-22 before the Eagles would score three consecutive points to jump in front one game. Set two was another tight battle with nine tie scores and three lead changes. MSU would answer with a big run at the end of the set to secure the 2-0 lead. Set three was all Morehead State, winning 25-13, as they completed the straight-set sweep over the 'Dawgs.
 
"We need to find a way to compete with joy and buy into each other", said Plunkett. "If we do that, I think we can play a lot better moving into tomorrow."
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs finish the Chattanooga Classic tomorrow, Sep. 16 at 10:00 a.m. against Eastern Michigan University and concluding at 1:30 p.m. with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.