BOLING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team fell 3-0 to visiting USC Upstate on Friday night at Paul Porter Arena, coming up short in the team's Big South opener

The Spartans and Runnin' Bulldogs would go door to door in the opening set, before a late run by USC Upstate saw the visitors jump out to a 1-0 lead. GWU opened the game in front 3-1, spearheaded by graduate middle Alivia Rew who started the contest with a kill.

The two sides traded points for much of the first set, until junior outside hitter Isabella Raciunas pushed the 'Dawgs two in front with one of her six kills on the night. From there however, a 7-2 response by Upstate saw the Spartans take over the lead for good. GWU tried to mount a late comeback, but four straight Upstate points to close out the first, saw the visitors take a 25-18 victory.

The second set was all USC Upstate, with the Spartans spriting ahead 10-2 in route to a 25-15 victory and a 2-0 lead. The 'Dawgs did show some muster in the middle action, with redshirt sophomore outside hitter Cayton White and freshman outside hitter Caroline Franklin momentarily producing back to back kills for Gardner-Webb.

GWU entered the third set with ground to make up, and the Runnin' Bulldogs did early, jumping in front of 8-5. Freshman right side Samia Sayd featured big time in the early going of the third set, bringing down a pair of kills in quick order. White and Rew were again at the middle of the happenings later on, with back to back kills from White, both assisted by Rew, proceeding a service ace from the latter. By this point, Gardner-Webb led 12-8.

After Franklin collected one of her five kills for a 15-12 GWU lead, Upstate swung the tide. The Spartans managed 10 of the game's next 12 points, turning a small deficit into a lead of their own. A couple of attack errors did little to help the Runnin' Bulldogs back into the match, as Upstate finished off a 25-10 win in the set and a 3-0 win overall.

Leaders for Gardner-Webb include White with 12 kills, sophomore libero Molly Littlefield with nine digs, and redshirt sophomore setter Sloane Rooney with 10 assists.

The Runnin' Bulldogs return to action on Friday, October 11th against Charleston Southern. First serve in the Buc Dome is set for 6 p.m.