CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - SIUE volleyball battled Gardner-Webb to the final whistle Saturday morning, but the Cougars came up short in a 3-1 (25-21, 23-25, 18-25, 24-26) decision at the Winfield Dunn Center.
SIUE got off to a strong start, taking the opening set 25-21 before Gardner-Webb responded by winning the next two. The Cougars then had themselves in position to force a fifth set while holding a 24-23 lead late in the fourth, but the Bulldogs rallied to score the next three points and close out the match 26-24.
The Cougars found major success at the net throughout the match, finishing with 13 total blocks compared to Gardner-Webb's six.
Vienna Elliott led SIUE with season-highs in kills (10), total blocks (7), service aces (2), digs (3), and points (15.5).
Maddie Determan also made an impact defensively, recording a career-high eight blocks to go along with six kills.
Sophomore
Ally Hughes added another impressive performance to the match, recording her first double-double of the season with 20 assists and 15 digs.
The Cougars will return to action next weekend when they open Ohio Valley Conference play against UT Martin, with games scheduled for both Friday and Saturday.
