ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team put a wrap on its 2024 season on Friday night in Rock Hill, losing a 3-0 contest to Winthrop

In largely a repeat of Thursday night's match-up back in Boiling Springs, the 'Dawgs were able to hang with Winthrop through stretches of the game, but the Eagles would be too much as the finish line approached in each set, taking wins by scores of 25-16, 25-20 and 25-17 to complete the sweep.

The best sequence of play from GWU on Friday came in the middle of set two, where the Runnin' Bulldogs jumped on four straight points to turn the set score to 12-12. While three of the points came via Winthrop attack error, freshman outside hitter Samia Sayd also grabbed one of her six kills in the game. Later in the second set, Gardner-Webb tried to late behind back to back kills from redshirt sophomore outside hitter Cayton White before Winthrop closed the door with the final two points. White managed a team-best four kills just in the second set alone.

GWU trailed big in the third set, down as many as 10-4 early on, but the 'Dawgs wouldn't waiver and managed to close the gap. Three straight points following a media timeout, including two from freshman Isabel Sandstrum, gave Gardner-Webb some life down just 17-15. Winthrop did counter with a 6-0 run in response, but Sandstrum continued to make her mark late with a third straight point scored for the Runnin' Bulldogs by the Wilimgton native, part of a team-high 12 on the night. With the final three points in set three, Winthrop ended the match as 3-0 winners.

Leaders for Gardner-Webb include Sandstrum with 12 kills and 15 digs, White with eight kills. Sayd with six kills, sophomore libero Molly Littlefield with 18 digs, senior libero Kayla Hawkins with 11 digs, and graduate middle Alivia Rew with three block assists.

For all news and updates on Gardner-Webb volleyball and GWU athletics as a whole, stay tuned to gwusports.com