BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. –The Gardner-Webb volleyball team (10-10, 4-4) showed great resiliency by playing from behind in a five-set battle to defeat Charleston Southern University (8-14, 2-6), Friday, October 20 in Big South action.
 
Gardner-Webb has now swept the season series against CSU for the first time in program history.
 
"The match was a roller coaster," said head coach Eric Plunkett. "Seemed like each set, one of the teams was dialed and able to execute. It was a fun match to coach cause both teams competed so hard all night."
 
Sophomore setter Rebecca Siedenburg lit up the stat sheet with a resounding career-high 52 assists, the most by any Runnin' Bulldog this season. Siedenburg also led the match in service aces with five and tallied a double-double with 16 digs. Freshman outside hitter Madison Smith also had an incredible performance, recording her fifth double-double of the season and third in a row, with a career-high 17 kills and 10 digs. 
 
Five 'Dawgs landed in double-digits for digs including Smith (10), senior libero Alexis Kapales (10), Siedenburg (16), sophomore libero Sophia Kotsovolos (18), and freshman libero Molly Littlefield with a career-high 21 digs. Junior outside hitter Avery Cole pounded 13 kills on the evening while hitting an impressive .414. Freshmen Jenna Otts and Paige Hoeder each landed in double-digit kills with 12 and 11, respectfully.
 
The first set opened up play with the 'Dawgs in front at 13-7. The Bucs were able to sniff that lead out and officially tie the score at 14-14. Out of the media timeout, CSU answered with an 11-4 run to close out set one 25-18. Set two began with another early Gardner-Webb lead at 10-5 before an 8-3 by the Bucs, tied the game again at 13-13. The 'Dawgs countered this time with a 12-5 run to even the contest at a set apiece. Smith collected seven of her 17 kills in the second set.
 
Set three continued the pattern, this time with CSU holding the large early lead at 13-7. The Buccaneers did their best to keep Gardner-Webb away from the lead, but a 7-2 late run gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a 24-22 advantage. CSU tied the contest at 24-24 and the 'Dawgs scored one to jump back in front at 25-24. Three consecutive points by the Bucs gave Charleston Southern a 27-25 victory and 2-1 set lead. Gardner-Webb controlled the fourth set masterfully, holding an 18-11 lead and finishing the set 25-18 to move the two sides into a fifth set. In what was already an action-packed match, the fifth set opened with back-and-forth points at 9-9. A 6-1 emphatic run by the 'Dawgs, included three straight errors by the Bucs, concluded the match at 15-10 awarding Gardner-Webb the victor.
 
"I was extremely proud of the team responding to giving a big lead and losing a set," said Plunkett. "That is growth for our team and it was great to see them bounce back to win the match. Both teams also put on a good show for the fans tonight."
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs entertain Presbyterian College tomorrow on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2:00 p.m. for Senior Day and their final home stand of the regular season.