BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Led by a career day from freshman outside hitter Madison Smith, the Gardner-Webb volleyball squad (11-10, 5-4) battled from a 2-0 set deficit on Senior Day to split the season series with Presbyterian College (7-13, 5-4), Saturday, October 21 in Big South action.
 
Smith recorded a total of 63 attacks, placing the Winter Garden, Florida native tied for sixth all-time in attack attempts in a match with Kylee Garrison from 2021. Smith also nabbed her sixth double-double of her career collecting career-highs in kills with 25 and digs with 15. She also hit an impressive .254 hitting percentage.
 
Sophomore libero Sophia Kotsovolos was an anchor for the 'Dawgs digging up a career-high 37 balls, which ties her for the seventh most digs in a match in program history with Katie Matykowski from 2007. Kotsovolos did not stop there, serving up six aces to place her tied for fourth on the all-time list for most in a match. 
 
Five 'Dawgs landed in double-digits for digs including sophomore setter Rebecca Siedenburg (11), Smith (15), freshman libero Molly Littlefield (18), senior libero Alexis Kapales (18), and Kotsovolos (36). Junior Avery Cole and freshman Jenna Otts each tallied 12 kills apiece in the contest. Siedenburg and sophomore setter Paige Bernstein dished out the assists with 22 and 28, respectfully.
 
"This weekend was a grind," said head coach Eric Plunkett. "Two grueling five-set matches back-to-back days is tough. I am really proud of this team's resilience."
 
With GWU opening the first set at 10-6, the Blue Hose battled back to jump in front with an 8-1 run at 14-11. Presbyterian allowed Gardner-Webb to claw back into the first set with an 8-4 run that included three consecutive kills by the 'Dawgs at 19-18. A late back-and-forth affair ultimately saw PC edge out set one 25-23. After Presbyterian claimed the first set, they opened with a 6-2 advantage and later expanded on that to lead 18-10. An 11-3 late surge by the Runnin' Bulldogs tied the score at 21-21, before the Blue Hose officially took a two-set lead after another 25-23 set victory.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs began their dramatic comeback with back-and-forth points for most of the third set, until GWU claimed its largest lead of the set at 20-16. A 7-1 run for the Blue Hose threatened a straight-set sweep over the 'Dawgs. Three consecutive points moved Gardner-Webb in front at 24-23, but would still have to battle in extra points avoiding the sweep and claiming a 28-26 set win. 
 
Set four was Gardner-Webb's from start to finish, holding massive leads including a 10-point lead at 20-10. The Blue Hose would not threaten the GWU lead at all, dropping set four 25-13 to the 'Dawgs. Set five initiated with Presbyterian winning the first half at 8-6. Gardner-Webb claimed its thrilling five-set victory with a 9-2 run erupted after the sides switched at 15-10.
 
"We never lost hope and continued to battle in every set," said Plunkett. "This is a great confidence weekend as we prepare to close out our season with five road matches. We need to take this battle mentality on the road starting next weekend."
 
The two senior recognized today for Gardner-Webb's Senior Day were Autumn Flowers and Kapales.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs kickstart a five-game road trip to end the regular season beginning with a visit to High Point University on Friday, Oct. 27 at 6:00 p.m.