BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb volleyball team (8-12, 1-4 Big South) battled with visiting USC Upstate (11-7, 4-1 Big South) on Saturday afternoon, falling 3-1 on Senior Day

The visiting Spartans were quick out of the gate with a 25-18 first set win. Gardner-Webb rallied to take the second 25-22 and even  up the match, but a late lead slipped away in the third and GWU was unable to mount a comeback in the fourth, as Upstate closed the match with consecutive 25-22 and 25-20 wins.

In the first set, USC Upstate jumped in front 17-8 and never trailed after a very early, 3-1 Gardner-Webb lead. Despite a late push that included kills from freshmen duo Brookelynn Nance and Sarina Galyean, the Runnin' Bulldogs could only get as close as six late, as Upstate won 25-18 to lead 1-0.

The Runnin' Bulldogs showcased their best in the second set, coming from 10-6 behind in a wild victory. Behind elite attacking play from redshirt junior setter Serena Kohler and sophomore Caroline Franklin, who combined for nine kills in the frame, Gardner-Webb was able to just get out in front and hold on for the set win. Up 22-21, Kohler and Franklin went back and forth to get to set point, before an Upstate attacking error leveled the match at 1-1.

It would be late in the third set where USC Upstate would do its damage. Gardner-Webb started strong, leading 11-9 and 16-14 behind a series of early kills from Kohler. The turning point would be a 7-1 run from the Spartans to turn a 16-14 GWU led into a 21-17 deficit the Runnin' Bulldogs would be unable to climb out of. Despite a late 4-0 run, including two kills from sophomore Caroline Franklin, bringing the set back to a 22-22 tie, Upstate notched the final three points in order to win 25-22.

Gardner-Webb got behind in the fourth despite an early 3-1 lead, and USC Upstate pulled away to complete the match. With the Spartans at match-point, Franklin and junior middle Milla Lugo tried to spark a GWU rally with two late kills, but USC Upstate saw it out for the final point, as the Runnin' Bulldogs fell 3-1.

LEADERS
Franklin emerged for Gardner-Webb in a big way with a season-best and team-high 15 kills, Kohler recorded 11 kills, four digs on Senior Day, Lugo finished with eight kills, four digs and four blocks, graduate libero Nalani McBride led the Dawgs with 14 digs, and sophomore setter Olivia Lefebvre led GWU in assists for the fifth time in Big South play, finishing with 28

UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs venture back out on the road in Big South play next weekend, visiting Presbyterian on October 17th and Charleston Southern on October 18th