RADFORD, Va. – After down one set early, the Gardner-Webb volleyball team (12-11, 6-5) battled back and won three consecutive sets to defeat Radford University (4-16, 3-8), Saturday, October 28 in Big South action.
 
Freshman outside hitter Madison Smith recorded her seventh double-double of her career smashing a game-high 15 kills and 15 digs. Junior outside hitter Avery Cole followed behind Smith with a great night hitting .333 on 27 attacks recording 13 kills and adding 3 block assists. Freshman outside hitter Jenna Otts added 12 kills to the offense also.
 
Junior middle blocker Autumn Flowers had a stellar match as well with seven block assists and one solo. She also added 11 kills on a .273 hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Paige Bernstein dished out 30 assists while picking up 4 kills, five block assist, and seven digs. Sophomore liberos Sophia Kotsovolos continued her dominant season digging up 23 balls.
 
"It was a really tough first set for us today," said head coach Eric Plunkett. "We started with a few errors and it spiraled quickly. I'm really proud that this team responded and worked through that adversity. That resiliency is extremely important when playing matches on the road."
 
After dropping set one 25-15, the 'Dawgs responded strong with a massive set two 25-20 win hitting 0.359. Set three opened up with a close score early at 9-9 before a four-point run gave Gardner-Webb the 13-9 advantage. The Highlanders would tie the score back up again at 15-15, but the Runnin' Bulldogs would not fall behind after that, winning the set 25-21. Leading two sets to one, the 'Dawgs wanted to win quickly leading 15-9, but six consecutive points from Radford tied the set at 15 apiece. The Highlanders were not going down without a fight trading points with the 'Dawgs until GWU pulled away at 24-20 and ultimately 25-21. 
 
"We have three more road matches to go in season so we need to carry that mindset in the coming weeks, but all in all it feels great to come out of Radford with a win," said Plunkett. 
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs return to the court with another weekend road trip beginning with a matchup at USC Upstate on Friday, Nov. 3 at 6:00 p.m. and the next day at UNC Asheville on Saturday, November 4 at 4:00 p.m.