ROCK HILL, S.C. – Gardner-Webb volleyball (14-12, 8-6) finished its 2023 regular season on Saturday, November 11 against conference rival Winthrop University falling in four sets to the Eagles in Big South afternoon action. The Runnin' Bulldogs finish the regular season locked in third place and a ticket to the Big South Tournament semifinals for the first time in program history.
 
Freshman outside hitter Jenna Otts led the 'Dawgs in kills with 17 on 35 attacks with a .400 hitting percentage at the pin. Sophomore setter Paige Bernstein collected her sixth double-double performance of the year recording 21 assists and 16 digs. Bernstein led the 'Dawgs in assists and digs this afternoon. Freshman outside hitter Madison Smith and junior middle blocker Autumn Flowers followed behind Otts with 12 and 10 kills, respectfully. Sophomore libero Sophia Kotsovolos picked up 15 digs for GWU defensively.

"It's tough to end the regular season with a loss but we are thankful for the opportunity to continue our season next week at the conference tournament," said Head Coach Eric Plunkett. "I think we are extremely motivated and ready to compete next weekend."

The Eagles opened set one with an early 6-2 lead before the 'Dawgs ignited for seven straight points to jump in front 9-6. A 4-0 spurt by Winthrop gave them the lead back at 10-9. After continuing to trade points back-and-forth, the score sat at 18-18 while Winthrop tried to jump back in front. After a 6-2 run, the Eagles led 24-21 allowing Gardner-Webb to pull back at 24-23. A kill from Alicia Davis would give the Eagles a one-set lead after the 25-23 score. Set two saw the Runnin' Bulldogs lead early at 11-7 after a 6-0 scoring run. The 'Dawgs would lead by five points at 14-9 and never allow the Eagles to take over in set two. Winthrop came close a few times, cutting the margin down to as much as two points, ultimately winning 25-21.
 
Winthrop took another early lead in set three at 11-6, before an 11-6 run by the 'Dawgs drew the score within one at 17-16. The Eagles led 20-16 late in the set until a 5-1 scoring run by Gardner-Webb tied the game up at 21-21. GWU scored two points at 22-21 to give the 'Dawgs a one-point lead at 23-22, before a kill and two emphatic blocks including Lexie Vick gave Winthrop a 25-23 win. The fourth set was all Eagles, scoring three consecutive points to open the set and carrying the momentum throughout to win 25-12 claiming the regular season series over Gardner-Webb.

"We battled hard this afternoon just lacked some execution late in sets," said Plunkett. "We will get those correct this week in preparation for conference tournament."

The #3-seed Runnin' Bulldogs will play the program's first semifinal game on Nov. 18 in High Point, N.C. at 5:00 p.m. against #2-seed Winthrop University.