BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team wrapped up its 2024 home schedule on Thursday night at Paul Porter Arena, suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of visiting Winthrop.

The Runnin' Bulldogs played second-place Winthrop valiantly close for much of the first, second and third sets, even coming within a whisker of a third set win to continue the game. Despite trailing for much of the night on the scoreboard, several good sequences of play gave Gardner-Webb at least a chance, including a 6-1 run in the second and a 3-1 spurt deep into the third set.

In the first, the teams were unable to find separation until a late 11-3 run by the visitors. In fact, Gardner-Webb and Winthrop were locked in a 12-12 tie near the first media timeout. Freshman outside hitter Samia Sayd was huge early on for Gardner-Webb, countering Winthrop with four kills on her own. Junior setter Morgan Hornaday also provided a spark late for the Runnin' Bulldogs with a pair of kills, despite the 25-16 Winthrop set win.

Gardner-Webb never led in the second set, but stayed within reach of the lead and used a late push to get back into the match. After going behind 8-4, redshirt sophomore outside hitter Cayton White hammered home two kills to bring GWU back within one. Freshman outside hitter Isabel Sandstrum erupted late to try and bring the Runnin' Bulldogs back from down nine, with two kills as part of five unanswered by Gardner-Webb, score 19-15. Winthrop again closed strong however for a 25-19 win and a 2-0 lead.

On to the third, where neither side would lead by more than three points the entire duration of the set. Down 4-1 early, Gardner-Webb rallied to lead 9-8, taking advantage of a bad set by the visitors. Later on, Hornaday posted both a kill and a block to push the Runnin' Bulldogs to an 18-17 advantage and force a Winthrop timeout. Sandstrum was again a force deep into the third, keeping the Runnin' Bulldogs alive with her seventh kill, drawing the set up at 24. Winthrop again finished off GWU with the last two points though, as the 'Dawgs well 26-24 and 3-0.

Leaders for Gardner-Webb include White with nine kills, Sayd with seven, Sandstrum with seven, redshirt sophomore Sloane Rooney with a team-best 14 assists, and sophomore libero Molly Littlefield with 27 digs.

The Runnin' Bulldogs wrap up the 2024 season tomorrow afternoon, traveling to Winthrop for a 6:00 p.m. start in Rock Hill.