BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb volleyball team (9-14, 1-6 Big South) scored its first home win of the season on Tuesday night, defeating NC Central (6-14, 3-4 MEAC) 3-1 behind big first and third set wins

Gardner-Webb was out of the gates quick on Tuesday night in Boiling Springs with a 25-13 first set win. After NC Central rallied back to win the second 25-21, the Runnin' Bulldogs put back-to-back strong sets together to close the match, running away 25-10 in the third then finishing the job 25-21 in the fourth

The Runnin' Bulldogs never looked back in the first or third set, more than doubling up NC Central at points. In the opening frame, Gardner-Webb got a huge start to the game from freshman outside hitter Haedyn Crumbley, who had seven first set kills and four of the first eight Gardner-Webb points. Freshman right side Sarina Galyean also came off the bench for three early kills.

The third set came even easier perhaps, as Gardner-Webb bolted out to a 14-2 run down the stretch to see out that 25-10 win. NC Central stayed close early down just 10-6, but a series of kills from freshman middle Brookelynn Nance gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a huge boost. Nance had four kills in the third set, and finished with eight for the game.

With two sets that came rather easy, Gardner-Webb was forced to sweat out the fourth to secure victory. Neither side would lead by more than three until the Runnin' Bulldogs found the finishing touch late through sophomore outside hitter Samia Sayd. Sayd notched four kills in the final set, including match point crushed right down the center of the court, and finished with nine kills for the game.

LEADERS
Crumbley continues to lead the Gardner-Webb attack and Tuesday was no different with the Bishop, Ga. native connecting on a team-high 12 kills, next to 11 digs. She'd be one of four Gardner-Webb players with double digit digs, led by graduate libero Nalani McBride with 20, sophomore outside hitter Isabel Sandstrum with 15, and redshirt junior setter Sloane Rooney with 10. Rooney also added 15 assists, just behind sophomore setter Olivia Lefebvre who posted a team-high 21

FROM HEAD COACH ALEX HINSEY
Really proud of our team. We've been, obviously dealing with a lot of adversity, a lot of tough losses lately for them to come out here on a Tuesday night and get the first win on the new court in the LYCC, we're really proud of that. Proud of the effort and the growth of this young team and everything, and we're really excited to take on High Point on Friday and for a big weekend ahead

UP NEXT
It's a busy weekend at home for the Runnin' Bulldogs, as Gardner-Webb plays host to High Point on Friday night and Radford on Saturday afternoon