BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team suffered a setback in Big South Conference play on Friday night, losing 3-0 at home to High Point
The first set proved to be the best for the Runnin' Bulldogs on Friday night, going door to door with visiting HPU early and often. After a back and forth start, GWU exploded out of the gate for a 7-2 run to take an 11-8 lead. Redshirt sophomore outside hitter
Cayton White featured in a big way early for Gardner-Webb, with two of her team-high seven kills in that sequence.
The 'Dawgs were forced to and would survive a couple of lengthy High Point runs in the middle of the first set, eventually settling back into the contest to take a 23-22 lead. Freshman outside hitter
Caroline Franklin brought Paul Porter Arena to its feet with one of her six kills to give GWU a 23-22 lead, just ahead of HPU who nabbed the last three points to win 25-23 and put Gardner-Webb behind 1-0.
GWU led early in the second set, but the visiting side pulled away in the middle to take a 25-17 win and a 2-0 lead in the match. Franklin and White again featured heavily for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the set, with the duo scoring all three points in a short scoring run from Gardner-Webb. Graduate middle
Alivia Rew also proved to play a big role for GWU, with the Tiffin transfer connecting on two kills in the frame.
In the third, Gardner-Webb hung with High Point early but once again a lengthy run from the visitors put the Runnin' Bulldogs in a hole they'd be unable to climb out of in a 25-14 defeat, ending the match 3-0. Of her three kills on the night, freshman outside
Isabel Sandstrum found room for two in the third set, playing her part for GWU and finishing among the leaders in the stanza.
Despite the defeat, other leaders for Gardner-Webb include junior outside Isaballa Raciunas with five kills, and sophomore libero
Molly Littlefield with 22 digs.
Its a short turnaround for the 'Dawgs who now look ahead to Radford at home, scheduled for tomorrow evening, October 19th at 6:00 p.m.
