FAIRFAX, VA - The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader in Friday action at the George Mason Patriot Invitational, losing an early morning contest against Fairleigh Dickinson before narrowly falling to Morgan State in the afternoon.

Game One - Fairleigh Dickinson 3, Gardner-Webb 0

The Runnin' Bulldogs began the day with an early morning contest against Fairleigh Dickinson. Despite all three sets going down to the final few points, it was the Knights who took a 3-0 victory. Gardner-Webb combined to lose all three sets by just 10 points in total.

Despite GWU taking an early lead in the opening frame, it was FDU who pulled ahead to win set one, 25-20. After the Runnin' Bulldogs went ahead 4-1, the Knights returned the favor to immediately go in front 6-4. Gardner-Webb wouldn't lead again, despite a strong effort late to eventually bring the game back within two as match point approached.

Some of the Runnin' Bulldogs best play of the day came in set two, where GWU exploded for a 6-1 run to take a 10-8 lead. Thanks to kills from freshman outside hitter Isabel Sandstrum and freshman outside hitter Caroline Franklin, the Red and Black saw the lead balloon to 13-9 by the halfway mark. Franklin connected one of her most important kills of the game to put Gardner-Webb up 22-20, but FDU closed with the last five points to win 25-22.

In the third, GWU was forced to, and would eventually, climb out of a big early hole to keep the set more than competitive. After the Knights forged ahead 8-3, five straight points tied the third set an 8-8. Things remained tight until the final points, with redshirt sophomore outside hitter Cayton White recording one of her seven kills, momentarily staving off match point. FDU did force a last attack error however, winning 25-23 and the match 3-0.

Game Two - Morgan State 3, Gardner-Webb 2

The late game got off to a brilliant start for GWU, with the Runnin' Bulldogs able to flip the script on the earlier game, closing out and winning a close set, 25-20. After drawing level at 12-12, the Red and Black took the lead for good after a quick 4-0 run, kick-started by a kill from sophomore middle Milla Lugo. The set victory was finished off by Lugo down the stretch as well, with her block leading to an attack error on the final point.

Set Two started neck and neck and stayed that way throughout, as the Runnin' Bulldogs led just 13-12 at the halfway point. Back to back attack errors on Morgan State even saw GWU jump out ahead as much as 18-13, inches from putting a commanding 2-0 lead on the board. The Bears, opposite side, closed strong however for a 25-20 win to tie the match at 1-1.

The third set was the finest of the entire day for GWU, as the Runnin' Bulldogs ran away with a 25-13 victory. The Red and Black led throughout, opening up a six point at one point before things really picked up. The 'Dawgs managed eight of the final ten points in the frame, sparked by a huge service ace from Kayla Hawkins. 

However, Morgan State pulled the game back with a 25-19 win in the fourth. The Bears opened on an 8-1 run, never trailed by less than four, and forced a decisive fifth set.

In the fifth, Sandstrum and Milla continued strong afternoons early, picking up the Runnin' Bulldogs first two points in quick order. Sandstrum kept GWU in the set when Morgan State momentarily pulled away near the finish, placing one of her nine kills. But ultimately, Morgan State finished off Gardner-Webb 15-11 moments later, defeating the 'Dawgs 3-2.

Up Next
The Runnin' Bulldogs finish the Patriot Invitational against hosts George Mason, set for 5 pm on Saturday, September 21st.