FAIRFAX, VA - The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team completed play at the George Mason Patriot Invitational, coming up short in a 3-1 loss to the hosts on Saturday evening.

In a wild contest that included the single longest played set of the year for the Runnin' Bulldogs, a rebound to win in the third set wouldn't be enough in defeat. The Runnin' Bulldogs dropped the first set 25-23, then the second 29-27 to open the contest in a 2-0 hole.

The second set in particular featured some incredible stretches of play from both sides, with Gardner-Webb and George Mason trading blows. In the second, GWU even rallied from down 23-21 for three straight points and to take set point. Redshirt sophomore setter Sloane Rooney was crucial in the sequence, forcing two errors back to back on George Mason. Rooney finished the contest with a team high 16 assists to go with 12 digs. GWU found multiple chances to close out the long set but the Patriots managed points 27, 28 and 29 to take the win.

The Red and Black responded in a big way in the third, turning around for a 25-13 win, one of the largest set wins for GWU this season. The Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to a 7-1 lead behind a kill from sophomore Milla Lugo, continued ahead to 15-6 behind an attack from freshman outside hitter Isabel Sandstrum and sophomore libero Molly Littlefield, and eventually closed things out without much pressure from the home side.

George Mason did find a response in the fourth however to close out the contest, 3-1. Despite the best efforts of the Runnin' Bulldogs early, an 11-3 run by the Patriots largely put the score out of reach as George Mason won the fourth set 25-16, and the match 3-1.

The Runnin' Bulldogs now set sights on Big South play, hosting Winthrop on Saturday, September 28th.