NORFOLK, Va. – The Gardner-Webb volleyball team was dealt a pair of losses to open the 2024 campaign on Friday afternoon during day one action of the Norfolk State Tournament. The Runnin' Bulldogs fell to the hosts in straight sets before dropping a 3-0 decision to Miami (OH) in the nightcap.
 
Norfolk St. 3, Gardner-Webb 0
Set number one was fairly close as the Spartans controlled a minimal 9-8 advantage, but a scoring run of 8-1 over the next nine points gave Norfolk St. a commanding 17-9 lead late in the frame.  Back-to-back kills from Cayton White trimmed the deficit, but the Spartans ended the first set on an 8-1 burst.
 
The two teams raced out to a 10-10 tie in set two before Norfolk St. created breathing room with seven of the next nine points. However, GWU did not go quietly, battling back to knot the score at 21-21 following an attack error by the Spartans. After another tied score, NSU tallied the final three points of the set for a 25-22 win and 2-0 match lead.
 
Sloane Rooney provided a service ace to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a slim 4-3 lead, but Norfolk St. put the pressure on with a quick 7-2 scoring outburst while taking a 10-6 lead. Already facing a 2-0 deficit in the match, Gardner-Webb put together a fierce rally before taking a 16-15 lead midway through. However, with the score deadlocked at 21-all, Norfolk St. ripped off the final four points to take the set and match.
 
Miami (OH) 3, Gardner-Webb 0
With the score tied at 5-5 in the opening set the Redhawks reeled off three in row to create separation early on. Gardner-Webb was able to find its rhythm midway through the set after ripping off five of six points to take a 14-12 advantage. From that point, the game saw a pair of ties and lead changes before Miami (OH) seized control of the set with a 7-0 burst, eventually taking a 1-0 match lead with a 25-19 win in the opening frame.
 
A service ace by Morgan Hornaday pushed the Runnin' Bulldogs ahead 4-2 in the second set, but Miami (OH) put together a solid 13-3 scoring run while ballooning the lead to 15-7. That advantage reached double-digits at 18-8. Gardner-Webb was able to stave off four set points, but fell in set two, 25-15.
 
Down 2-0 in the match, GWU came out strong in the pivotal third frame. A kill by Isabella Raciunas gave the designated home team a 5-2 lead before the Redhawks battled back to knot the score at 9-all. Four unanswered points by Miami (OH) ran the score to 12-9. The Runnin' Bulldogs were able to draw to within a pair of points, but could not complete the comeback, falling in set three, 25-21.
 
Gardner-Webb will return to action tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. as it takes on Lamar in the third and final game of the Norfolk State Tournament.