SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb volleyball team battled through large parts of each set on Friday afternoon at the Wofford Invitational, but came up short 3-0 against Northern Arizona
Despite close scores in the middle part of each set, Northern Arizona took the first 25-16, then held off Gardner-Webb rallies in the second 25-23 and in the third 25-18 to complete the sweep
The Runnin' Bulldogs got off to a dream start in the opening set, opening up a 4-1 lead right out of the gates. Sophomore outside hitter
Isabel Sandstrum began the contest with a service ace, before freshman outside hitter
Haedyn Crumbley notched her first kill. However, tied at 10-10, Northern Arizona put together a 6-0 run that swung the tide. Three kills from Crumbley in a row followed for Gardner-Webb but the Runnin' Bulldogs were unable to mount a comeback, going down 1-0 in the match. The Lumberjacks closed with the final four points of the set
Gardner-Webb and Northern Arizona traded blows in the second set, with neither side able to open up a lead of more than three points. Once again the Dawgs started strong, with a service ace from Sandstrum and a kill from Crumbley opening the scoring. Redshirt freshman
Alexis Maesch really got going in the second in her first big game as a Runnin' Bulldog, with her first kill giving GWU a 10-9 lead. Maesch notched another kill later to tie the set at 22 each but Northern Arizona confirmed a 2-0 lead in the match with the final two points.
Northern Arizona opened up a 14-6 lead early in the third and didn't look, despite Gardner-Webb rallying for some late points. Sandstrum and Maesch, who largely led the Runnin' Bulldogs attack, picked up each of the final two kills back-to-back for GWU, despite a 25-18 final tally in the third to end the match
LEADERS
Crumbley finished the game with a team high eight kills, followed by redshirt junior outside hitter
Serena Kohler with seven and Maesch with seven. Redshirt junior setter
Sloane Rooney again led Gardner-Webb with 17 assists, while graduate libero
Nalani McBride recorded another 20 dig performance, her seventh of the season
UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb concludes the Wofford Invitational on Saturday, taking on The Citadel at 11 am in Spartanburg, followed by Marshall at 3 pm
