BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team lost its home opener on Tuesday evening at Paul Porter Arena, falling 3-0 to visiting Furman.

The Runnin' Bulldogs kept things close in the first, even leading for large stretches of the opening set. Redshirt sophomore outside hitter Cayton White notched a series of early kills for Gardner-Webb, bringing the score to 15-15 at the media timeout. An attack error on Furman a few minutes later tied the score at 19, however the Paladins put together a 4-0 run in response to pull away or good. Kills by White and Freshman outside hitter Isabel Sandstrum staved off match point for a second, before the Paladins won the first set, 25-22.

Gardner-Webb would be forced to rally and would early in set two, turning around quick 5-1 deficit into a 5-4 game. The Runnin' Bulldogs got no closer however, as Furman pulled way for a 2-0 match lead. A quick 4-0 spurt late on thanks to two aces by Redshirt sophomore setter Sloane Rooney wasn't enough despite making it a two point game, as Furman took the set by a 25-20 final.

In the third set, Furman jumped out to a 7-2 lead and wouldn't let up from there, as the Paladins completed the sweep by defeating GWU by a final tally of 25-14. Kills again by White and Sandstrum inspired a run in the middle of the set before the visitors put the match away.

Individually, the Runnin' Bulldogs were led by White with 12 kills, Rooney with 14 assists and sophomore Molly Littlefield with 15 digs.

Gardner-Webb volleyball returns to action on Thursday, September 12th at Coastal Carolina.