BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team (9-9, 3-3) jumped into the top-four of the Big South standings after a massive straight-set sweep over UNC Asheville (6-13,0-6) on Friday, October 13 in Big South Conference play. 
 
The Florida freshman duo of Jenna Otts and Madison Smith on the outside erupted tonight on offense, with Otts collecting a match-high 11 kills. Smith recorded her third double-double of the season, with 10 kills and 13 digs while having a phenomenal day behind the service line with four aces. Smith also racked up 15 points to help Gardner-Webb.
 
Sophomore libero Sophia Kotsovolos led the match in digs as well with 16 on the defensive side for the 'Dawgs.

"Asheville plays with such great energy and they compete so hard," said head coach Eric Plunkett. "We needed to match their energy to come out on top tonight. When we stayed focused on our serving that really kept us at an advantage."
 
In what was a wild start to this conference matchup, the first two sets included a total of 14 tie scores and six lead changes. Set one kicked off with GWU leading 5-2 early on, before the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville tied the score at 5-5. The Bulldogs were able to capitalize off of a few Gardner-Webb mistakes to jump in front 11-8. Back-and-forth points eventually led to a GWU run of four points to lead 16-14, until Asheville once again tied the score at 16-16. A 5-0 scoring tear for GWU gave them a 21-16 advantage which led to the set win, although the Bulldogs would get within one at 24-23 before the victory for GWU.
 
Set two started almost identical to the first set, with Gardner-Webb holding a lead that UNC Asheville would eat into and take over at 7-6. UNCA immediately took advantage of this opportunity stepping in front 18-12. The Runnin' Bulldogs managed to shrink the deficit to five at 20-15, which ignited a 6-0 scoring run including three consecutive kills by Smith and two service aces by senior libero Alexis Kapales. With 24-21 on the board, the 'Dawgs allowed UNC Asheville to come back into the match tying the score at 24-24. A long serve and a kill by Otts helped edge out a 2-0 set lead for Gardner-Webb.
 
The third set began similar as well with a back-and-forth battle, including five tie scores all the way until 14-14. The Runnin' Bulldogs rattled off three points off Asheville's mistakes at 17-14 and never trailed from that point forward to claim a straight-set sweep.

"Anytime we get a win in conference it feels good. Got to come out with some great energy tomorrow to battle a strong Upstate team," said Plunkett.
 
The 'Dawgs finish this week's home stand with a battle against USC Upstate tomorrow Saturday, Oct. 14 at 4:00 p.m.