BOONE, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team finished weekend action at the Mountaineer Classic on Saturday afternoon, falling 3-0 against hosts Appalachian State.

All three sets remained close in the contest, but with the Runnin' Bulldogs unable to break through. In the first, GWU trailed big early before nearly rallying back to steal the set in the final points. After going behind 23-17, the Runnin' Bulldogs managed to pull the score back to 23-21. Appalachian State then squeaked out the final two points to put Gardner-Webb behind 1-0 in the match.

In the second set, the Mountaineers again jumped out to a big lead before a late Runnin' Bulldogs rally. Appalachian State seemed to be coasting up 22-11 before Gardner-Webb struck back for seven of the next eight points. The Runnin' Bulldogs managed a pair of services aces in the run courtesy of redshirt sophomore Cayton White and sophomore Molly Littlefield. However, the hosts again snatched the final two points to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

In the third, GWU put together some of the best play of the weekend, culminating in a 12-8 lead at the halfway mark. A pair of quick kills by freshman Isabel Sandstrum helped to ignite the Runnin' Bulldogs. The Mountaineers rallied for an 18-17 lead not long after but redshirt junior Kyla Davis kept GWU alive late with an important kill. The Red and Black couldn't close the deal from behind though, as the teams traded the final seven points of a set Appalachian State would win 25-22 to finish the match.

White finished the afternoon with a team-high eight kills, alongside freshman Samia Sayd with seven. Defensivley, Littlefield recorded 16 digs to lead the Runnin' Bulldogs, while Sandstrum and Davis notched four block-assists each.

Gardner-Webb returns to action on Tuesday evening at Paul Porter Arena, hosting Furman at 6 p.m.