BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb volleyball team finally returned to Paul Porter Arena on Tuesday night, but eventually suffered a 3-0 defeat despite a close first set

The Runnin' Bulldogs went toe-to-toe with the Royals in the first with multiple opportunities to grab the opening frame, before an eventual 29-27 loss. Queens took full advantage from there, winning 25-19 in both the second and third sets to complete the sweep

Gardner-Webb got off to a hot start, jumping out to both 16-13 and 19-17 leads in the first set. The Runnin' Bulldogs got big contributions early from freshman right side Sarina Galyean, who at one point crushed five kills in a row for the team. Galyean got GWU to the doorstep of a first set win but Queens would stave off a loss, fending off three straight set points from down 24-21. Back-to-back kills handed the Royals a 29-27 win.

Gardner-Webb again stormed out to a lead in the second set, with freshman outside hitter Haedyn Crumbley notching one of her five kills for a 9-6 lead. Queens once again rallied however with a late 9-2 run, putting Gardner-Webb in a six-point hole it would be unable to climb out of. Queens eventually pulled away to win 25-19.

By the third set, the Royals had seized momentum and eventually opened a 14-8 lead. Gardner-Webb rallied for a handful of late points through sophomore outside hitter Isabel Sandstrum, before Queens closed out the match, 25-19.

LEADERS
Galyean continued a good individual week with 10 kills to lead GWU, while sophomore outside hitter Samia Sayd recorded seven and Sandstrum finished with six. In the assist column, redshirt junior setter Sloane Rooney and sophomore setter Olivia Lefebvre each recorded 16, Rooney finished with a double-double with 15 digs, one behind graduate libero Nalani McBride who led the Dawgs with 16

UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb returns to action, and opens Big South play, on Friday night, September 26th at Winthrop