SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb volleyball team battled through a tight four-set contest on Friday night at USC Upstate, coming up short 3-1

After dropping the opening set 25-21, the Runnin' Bulldogs flipped the script for a 25-22 second set win. USC Upstate then responded to take the third 25-22 and the fourth 25-13, closing out the match

Gardner-Webb got off to a dream start in the first set, jumping out in front 8-4. Sophomore outside hitter Samia Sayd played a big role early, notching two early kills for the Runnin' Bulldogs. In a close opening frame, junior outside hitter Nicole Osborne emerged in a big way, adding a kill and a block in the middle of the set to start a big individual night. After falling behind, Osborne managed to cut the Upstate lead to as few as three before the Spartans closed out the set

After a slow start that saw GWU fall behind 10-6 in the second, the Dawgs rallied to tie the match. Osborne and Sayd played hero again with multiple kills each, as did freshman outside hitter Haedyn Crumbley who picked up a pair of service aces. Crumbley made sure there would be no Upstate comeback either, notching four straight kills to take the Runnin' Bulldogs from up 20-16 to 24-21, before junior middle Milla Lugo finished things off with another kill of her own

Gardner-Webb had its chances in a narrow third set. After going behind 21-15 and seemingly buried, the Runnin' Bulldogs rallied to get to within just two after an Osborne block. It was once again Lugo, Crumbley and Osborne leading the charge, with an 8-2 spurring the comeback with control of the match on the line. But with GWU back within a couple points at 24-22, Upstate finished the job for a 2-1 match lead. The Runnin' Bulldogs would then fall behind double digits in the fourth set, as the match ended 3-1 in Spartanburg.

LEADERS
Osborne continued a strong individual couple weeks with a season-high 15 kills, Crumbley posted a double-double with 12 digs and 10 digs, Lugo and freshman Madison DeMink each had 2.5 blocks, while graduate libero Nalani McBride had a team-high 23 digs 

UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs quickly turnaround to face UNC Asheville, scheduled for tomorrow at 2 pm