BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb volleyball team (11-16, 2-8 Big South( battled through an incredibly tight four-set contest on Friday night against Charleston Southern (14-10, 6-4 Big South) before coming up short 3-1

It didn't start as close as it would wind up early on Friday night inside Paul Porter Arena, as Gardner-Webb blitzed CSU 25-16 in the opening set. The Runnin' Bulldogs got down 7-3 but quickly rebounded, putting together a 7-2 closing run to take the first set. Freshman outside hitter Haedyn Crumbley made her impact felt in the first set, notching five kills including three in a four point span as the Runnin' Bulldogs pulled away late.

Charleston Southern returned the favor in the second set, blowing out the Runnin' Bulldogs 25-15. Gardner-Webb was down just 11-8 early before a lengthy CSU run put the set out of reach. Junior outside hitter Nicole Osborne posted three kills in the second set, part of what turned out to be a career-best individual night.

A 25-23 third set would be the key frame in the match, with Charleston Southern sneaking a narrow win, setting the one, and coming from behind with Gardner-Webb narrowly missing the finish line. After falling behind 16-11, the Runnin' Bulldogs roared back to lead 23-19. Redshirt junior outside hitter Serena Kohler exploded on the scene in her first action of the night, recording seven kills in the third set, including four during an 8-1 Gardner-Webb run that nearly brought the roof down inside Paul Porter Arena. The Buccaneers flipped the script right after however, taking a 2-1 match lead with a 6-0 run to close the set

The fourth set was close, but with Gardner-Webb playing from behind for most of it. The Runnin' Bulldogs never led, but briefly got back within a point after junior outside hitter Emma Kerwin came off the bench to record back-to-back kills, making the score 19-18, CSU. Osborne was again at the center of the action with two late kills, just before Charleston Southern finished the match with a 25-22 win

LEADERS
Osborne exploded for a career-high 13 kills along with eight digs, Kohler posted nine kills including seven in the third set, junior middle Milla Lugo finished with six kills, two assists, four block assists in a complete effort, sophomore setter Olivia Lefebvre and redshirt junior setter Sloane Rooney each posted 20 assists, and graduate libero Nalani McBride continued her record-setting pace with 23 digs

UP NEXT
It's a quick turnaround for GWU, as the Runnin' Bulldogs return to action at home against Presbyterian on Saturday, November 1st