BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb Volleyball claimed their third-consecutive victory on Saturday evening as the Runnin' Bulldogs swept USC Upstate. This marked the first time that GWU has swept both conference matchups during a weekend since joining the Big South Conference.
"We were able to turn our defense into offense and execute that into key points throughout the night," said Head Coach Eric Plunkett. "This is a special group of young women that are coming out here every single week and these 3-0 wins have been a product of that hard work."
The 'Dogs cruised to a quick 2-0 lead in sets to start the evening. They won the first 25-16 and followed it up with a 25-15 score line. GWU rattled off a pair of 4-0 stretches in the first set to distance themselves and get the win. In the second, GWU went on a 6-1 run to gain an 8-3 lead and never looked back, not allowing the Spartans within four again.
In the third, the two teams played much closer, not allowing the other to get up by more than three points.
Kylee Garrison sealed the match win with her 11
th kill of the afternoon as Morgan Hornaday collected her 37
th assist.
Delaney McCullough tied a season-high and had the most kills of all players of the day with 13. She added three service aces, 3 blocks, and four digs for 17.5 points. Garrison was next on the team with 11 while Mikayla Logan and Avery Cole had six. McKenna Timmerman finished with five while Hornaday had two to go along with two blocks and six digs.
Sophia Kotsovolos ended the day with ten digs along with two aces. Garrison and
Sophia Bolden had nine apiece while Kayla Hawkins had eight.
"We always play well in front of our home crowd, so we're going to feed off that and their energy next weekend," said Plunkett. "We're in sole possession of fourth place right now and the best way to keep ourselves in that is to keep winning."
The Runnin' Bulldogs now sit fourth in the Big South standings with a 6-6 record in league play as there are four games left to play this season. GWU will conclude its home schedule next weekend as they host Presbyterian (3-9) at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Winthrop (9-3) on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
