Senior Night: Gardner-Webb Hosts First-Place Radford In Key Friday Match
November 14, 2013 | Volleyball
The Runnin' Bulldogs (15-15, 6-5 Big South) could potentially make a significant move up the standings with positive results against the Highlanders (20-9, 9-3 Big South) and Liberty (Nov. 16, 4:00 pm). The Big South Conference Volleyball Championship Tournament begins on November 20 in Clinton, S.C.
Gardner-Webb rallied for a 3-2 win in Radford on October 5, the third win in a season-long five match win streak for the squad. The loss was one of just three for the Highlanders in Big South Conference action so far. Emily Holte (16 kills, 2 total blocks) and Tyra Montour (12 kills, 5 total blocks) led four GWU players with double figure kills totals in the road win.
Friday will also serve as Senior Night in Boiling Springs, as coach Leo Sayles will honor the trio of Erin Anderson (Orlando, Fla.), Holte (Prior Lake, Minn.) and Amanda Murphy (Alvin, Texas) prior to the start of the match.
Anderson leads the team with 303 kills this season and ranks third with 248 digs. Her 334.5 points so far in 2013 also lead the team.
Holte is coming off another strong week, and ranks second on the team in scoring (308 points) and kills - and third on the team in total blocks (49).
Murphy has played in a team-high 109 sets in 2013, hitting .247 with 137 kills, 20 service aces and 71 total blocks. Murphy's ace and block totals rank second on the team.
The senior trio has helped Gardner-Webb forge an outstanding record in Paul Porter Arena this season, riding solid crowd support to a 7-2 mark on the home floor. Gardner-Webb has already established a program Division I-record with 15 wins in 2013, its third season under Sayles' leadership.
Friday night's match will air live on the Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com), with Scott Johnson providing the play-by-play call.
