Gardner-Webb University
2-2,0-0Big South
NC Central
2-2,0-0MEAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner-Webb | 21 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| N.C. Central | 25 | 14 | 22 | 17 | 1 |
Runnin’ Bulldogs Bounce Back With Impressive 3-1 Win Over N.C. Central
September 01, 2026 | Volleyball
DURHAM, N.C. — Gardner-Webb volleyball bounced back in impressive fashion Tuesday evening, rallying from an opening-set loss to defeat N.C. Central, 3-1, at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
The Runnin' Bulldogs dropped the opening set, 25-21, before taking control of the match with three consecutive set victories. Gardner-Webb answered with a dominant 25-14 second-set win before edging the Eagles, 25-22, in the third. The Runnin' Bulldogs closed out the match with a 25-17 fourth-set victory to improve to 2-2 on the season.
Gardner-Webb's offense steadily improved throughout the match. After hitting just .023 in the opening set, the Runnin' Bulldogs responded by hitting .269 in the second, .313 in the third and .289 in the fourth. Gardner-Webb finished the night with a .211 team hitting percentage while recording 51 kills on 147 attacks.
Sarina Galyean paced the Runnin' Bulldogs with 11 kills while posting an impressive .409 hitting percentage. She also contributed five block assists and six digs to finish with a team-high 17 points.
Nicole Osborne added 12 kills and 12 digs for her second double-double of the season, while Peyton Slone delivered 10 kills in three sets of action. Alexis Maesch contributed seven kills while hitting .316, and Milla Lugo added three kills, three digs and two block assists.
Olivia Lefebvre helped orchestrate the Gardner-Webb attack with 21 assists while adding 11 digs. Ella Moss recorded 13 digs, while Kiera Vazquez led the defensive effort with 20 digs. As a team, the Runnin' Bulldogs collected 77 digs and four service aces.
Gardner-Webb's blocking presence also proved important, as the Runnin' Bulldogs recorded five block assists and four solo blocks during the four-set victory.
After N.C. Central claimed the opening set, Gardner-Webb responded with its best offensive stretch of the match. The Runnin' Bulldogs hit .269 in the second set and limited the Eagles to a .028 hitting percentage. Gardner-Webb continued that momentum in the third set, hitting .313 while N.C. Central managed a .220 mark.
The Runnin' Bulldogs saved their strongest overall offensive performance for the fourth set, recording 18 kills while hitting .289 to finish the comeback and secure the 3-1 road victory.
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Friday, September 4 while opening the home portion of its schedule against UNC Wilmington. First serve inside Paul Porter Arena is set for 10 a.m.
